DORCHESTER Town have agreed terms with talented teenagers Charlie Gosney, Ben Symes and Alfie Toland ahead of the new BetVictor Southern Premier South season.

Having all played for Dorchester Town Youth Under-16s last year, the trio have been training with the Magpies’ first-team squad during pre-season and all three featured during the second half of the 5-0 home friendly win over Bridgwater Town.

Boss Callum Brooks said: “At the start of the season when we set out our plan and vision, obviously a part of it was the need to bring in some established players, but a big market for us is also producing our own players.

“We’re not a club that can have a squad of 22 players, so we thought it was key to identify a talented crop of youngsters who we can nurture and have around the first team picture, obviously with one eye on developing them but also on keeping our numbers up and keeping the energy levels around our group high.

“We’ve identified these lads from their youth careers with Dorchester and obviously I’ve assessed them over the first two weeks of training. What I’ve found is that, rather than slow the group down, they have improved the environment.

“What I’ve seen from the group of lads in just two weeks is visibly seen them improve technically, tactically and, more importantly, I’ve seen them improve as young men. If we can do that in just two weeks, giving them the access to this environment, just think what we can we do in two, three, four years.

“It is a bit of a project, they deserve their opportunities and I look forward to aiding their development as individuals and collectively for Dorchester Town Football Club.”

Attacking midfielder Gosney, who had late chances to score a debut goal against Bridgwater, said: “I was happy with what I did when I got onto the pitch, and should have scored really. It’s been great, I think last season was one of the best seasons I’ve had with my Dorch youth team, so I’m happy that my manager saw that I’ve got the potential to progress and gave me the opportunity to come and train with the first team.”

Midfielder Symes, who played the later stages of the 5-0 thrashing in the centre of midfield alongside Charlie Davis, added: “It’s been brilliant – the change from youth football is massive and it’s so much quicker. To come through the whole youth system at Dorch and then to get a chance with the first team at this club has been absolutely brilliant.”

Defender Toland, who played alongside Callum Rose in the heart of defence for the second half of the Bridgwater clash, said: “It was amazing – Callum Rose is obviously a quality centre back and it was great to get the whole 45 minutes. It’s a massive difference between first team and youth obviously – the intensity is something else which I’ll gradually have to get used to. I wasn’t expecting it to be honest, I’m just happy that Callum’s seen that I could train with the first team and it’s good to get the chance.”