THOSE on the fringe of Dorchester Town’s growing squad look set to get a chance to impress manager Roy O’Brien when the Magpies travel to Verwood Town in the second round of the Dorset Senior Cup tonight (7.45pm).

Gary Bowles, Ollie Barnes, Jake Smeeton, Matt Groves, Harry Montacute, Tom Mitchell and Harry Nodwell could all feature for the county town outfit against the Wessex League First Division side.

Seven of Phil Basford’s under-18 side also look set to be included with Sam Filkins, Lewis Coombes, Dan Spencer, Neil Kellaway, Lewis Trevett, Adam Taylor and Simon Fellows among those pushing for a start.

“I’m extremely pleased for them because it’s a good opportunity for the boys to impress the gaffer,” said Basford. “They have been the most consistent lads in the last couple of weeks in the South West Counties League.

“Roy O’Brien works with us and keeps and eye on what they are doing and at the end of the day it’s a good advert for our under-18s.”

Regular first team goalkeeper Regan Coward may miss out after picking up a knock, meaning Filkins could be in line to start the match at Verwood.

And despite the expected near-wholesale changes, O’Brien is keen to advance to the last eight.

“You go into games to try and win them, so that’s what we’ll try to do,” he said. “You prioritise games but it will be good to get back to winning ways.

“There will be a few changes because at the moment we have a few knocks and bruises so players will be looked after and it will be a chance for fringe players.”

When asked which players would be likely to feature, O’Brien said: “Gary Bowles and Ollie Barnes, who are a very good centre half pairing, and Jake Smeeton is another one.

“They are the lads we’ll be looking at because they are very much involved in the first team at the moment and want to get 90 minutes under their belt.

“Matt Groves will be playing and Harry Montacute and Tom Mitchell could feature, as well as Harry Nodwell and Sam Filkins.”

Andre McCollin and Louis Lavers, who signed on loan from Yeovil on Friday, will definitely sit out the match as new players need to be registered seven days before the next round of the competition.

Steve Devlin and versatile teenager Jamie Symes (both cup-tied) will also be absent.

Devlin played in Holt United’s 4-1 success over Cranborne in the first round, while Symes won’t be able to make his Magpies having featured for Bridport in their 2-1 defeat to Chickerell United in round one.

Verwood manager Adie Arnold, who has labelled the match the biggest challenge in his club’s history, has warned Dorchester that his side is ready to pounce should the Magpies under-perform.”