DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson has confirmed that Magpies’ duo Alex Stafie and Callum Thompson have left the Clayson Stadium outfit.

Romanian striker Stafie is now a Shaftesbury Town player and scored in the Rockies’ 5-2 win over Fareham Town in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division on Saturday.

Stafie made a total of 19 appearances without scoring in his Dorchester career, most often as a substitute and made just one start this season.

Thompson, meanwhile, joined the club after impressing during pre-season and made eight career appearances with one start, scoring no goals.

The former Launceston man’s deal was announced alongside wingers Cameron Murray and Josh Williams. While the latter two have put in a number of eye-catching performances this season, Thompson often struggled for match minutes.

Echosport understands both men remain registered but are unlikely to play again.

Speaking to Echosport regarding the pair’s exit, manager Thompson explained the decision to let the players go was due to their lack of involvement in matches.

He said: “Alex and Callum have both left the club. They weren’t getting involved in matchday much and I felt it was better for them to go elsewhere and play their football.”

Thompson also revealed he is open to the idea of replacing Stafie and Thompson in time for Saturday’s FA Trophy second qualifying round tie with AFC Totton.

He said: “We were down to 15 (on Saturday). We’ve got Tom Blair out for three or four games now. Ross Carmichael and Luke Winsper are back on Saturday so we’re up to 16.

“I’m not saying I won’t look. I think if we can improve, we have to improve. The search will carry on to try and improve, but it’s very hard during the season because most players have got clubs unless you get a loan player and I think we’re up to four already.

“I think there’s a maximum of five, so it’s

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something I’ll have to think about during the course of this week whether we get someone in for Saturday.”

Dorchester also have teenage winger Ben Morris on their books, but Thompson was reluctant to sit him on the bench for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Merthyr Town.

He said: “I thought there was more value in Ben playing for Bridport. He’s part of us and he needs that game time.

“I had two forwards on the bench in Tom and Ash (Pope), so Ben wouldn’t have got on in front of those two. I felt it was better for him to go and play 90 minutes.”