DORCHESTER Town’s players should be relishing another stern examination against Hayes & Yeading United, assistant-boss James Wood says.

The Magpies welcome Hayes to the Avenue Stadium tomorrow in the midst of a stacked month with heavy-hitting teams dominating their schedule.

Dorchester have already beaten Harrow, lost to Plymouth Parkway in the FA Trophy and suffered a comprehensive defeat by Weston in October.

They face last season’s title contenders Hayes tomorrow with subsequent tests against big-spending Gosport and Salisbury plus a midweek trip to Merthyr still to come.

And Wood feels these big games are what his Dorchester side should be yearning for.

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He told Echosport: “We’ve got to dust ourselves down, take a lot of positives from (Weston).

“We’ll prepare well and go again. I’ve discussed with Glenn (Howes, boss). This is what these young players should want to do.

“You want to be playing against your Westons, Hayes, Salisburys your Gosports – all these teams we’ve got coming up.

“That’s what they should want to do, test themselves against these quality players. They will learn from it, they’re like sponges, and they will get better and better and better.

“Then, if you judge us towards the end of the season how far these players have progressed, it will be very encouraging.”

Elaborating on Hayes’ strengths, Wood said: “They’re an attacking threat and I know one of the centre-forwards (Omar Rowe) has gone but they’re still an extremely potent attacking force.

“A lot of power, energy and pace. It will test us defensively but we’ve got to be brave, stand up and be prepared to pass the ball.

“I’m confident we can cause them problems as well.”

Harry Lee (ill) and Shaq Gwengwe (ankle) are expected to feature but Kieran Douglas (knee) will be out for at least another week. Harvey-Joe Bertrand is suspended following his red card at Plymouth Parkway.