DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson believes his side’s final scheduled pre-season friendly against Winchester City will be a “good yard-stick” as to the Magpies’ summer progress.

Thompson’s men have secured wins against Saltash United and Portland United but understandably found the going tougher against Plymouth, drawing 0-0 before losing 2-0 to both Yeovil and Torquay United – the latter three being full-time teams.

But the Citizens pose the Magpies a different challenge, with Dorchester set to face a side one rung below them in the football pyramid.

He told Echosport: “That will be interesting to see how we come out of those three games against those three professional teams when we take on a team below us.

“You look at Torquay, they are only one league above but they are a professional outfit so I think Winchester will be a good yard-stick as to how we have come out of that.

“I am expecting another hard-working performance.

“We will see how we get on in terms of scoring goals because a little bit of a worry that we have not scored in the last three games, so hopefully we can do that against Winchester.”

Dorchester will wait on the fitness of winger Tom Blair (knock) ahead of the game, while duo Aaron Rodriguez and Ollie Griggs remain out alongside the unavailable Alex Stafie.

Meanwhile, Dorchester have announced the signings of Luke Winsper and Ross Carmichael before the trip to Hampshire.

Carmichael was a near ever-present in the Dorchester defence last season, playing 44 times and scoring once for the Magpies.

The left-sided centre-back moved from Portland United last summer and was the only one of former Blues’ colleagues Chris Clarke, Ed Bastick, Jamie Beasley and Max Buckler to fully cement his place in the starting XI.

He joins fellow defenders Neil Martin, Kyle Egan and Callum Rose in committing to the Magpies for the upcoming Southern Premier South campaign.

Commenting on his deal, Winsper, who played 27 times for Dorchester in an injury-hit previous season, scoring one goal, admitted he had enjoyed his football at the Avenue Stadium.

He said: “I spoke to Tommo at the end of last season and he said he wanted me to stay, it’s just that I’ve been on holiday.

“To come in and sign it’s been a bit difficult, but I’m happy with everything, I enjoyed last year.

“I like the fans and I did well when I played, even though I had a few injuries.

“Tommo is a great manager and hopefully this season we can push on a little bit more.”