DORCHESTER Town boss Callum Brooks expressed his delight after the Magpies thumped Bridgwater Town 5-0 in their opening pre-season friendly, labelling the contest as a “very good exercise”.

Brooks’ men dominated from the outset but took until the 30th minute to break the deadlock when man-of-the-match Sean Wright tapped home from a yard.

The Magpies added three more goals in nine minutes through River Smith, Tom Blair and Dan Strugnell as the hosts accelerated to a 4-0 first-half lead.

A trialist, playing up front and wearing the number 18 shirt, then came on in the second half and curled home after a fierce Tiago Sa shot ricocheted in the box.

Speaking to Echosport, Brooks said: “I thought it was an enjoyable evening and it’s the next step of our progressive pre-season.

“I’ve seen that brightness that we displayed in the first half over three training sessions – I’m pleased we continued it, so it was a very good exercise for the club.

“The main thing I was impressed with was the work ethic and the attitude of the players, especially in the first half.

“Without the ball the intensity and our pressing was really good, there was a real hunger to get the ball.

“When we got the ball I thought there was a real quality and I thought it was exciting to watch. The second half was a little bit more difficult but the objectives changed slightly.

“As I looked up, I saw 16, 17-year-olds everywhere with the opportunity to go on and play in that stadium in front of a healthy crowd.

“There were things I’d like to see done a little bit crisper in the second half, but when you bear in mind the average age out there, what we should be doing is giving the young lads a pat on the back.

“It’s about the bigger picture, we’re trying to create a family environment at the club and the second half probably demonstrated that.”

Brooks commended his players for retaining a good base level of fitness during the summer, something he feels had bled into non-League from professional football.

“The professional standard is creeping down throughout the leagues,” Brooks explained.

“Players are actually turning up for pre-season fit now, your starting point is higher. They’re sharp, we’re where we need to be but the work continues – it was no more than a good training session.

“As a collective I thought it was a good night for the club.”