Dorchester Town face a testing Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round tie this Saturday when they travel 105 miles to take on Slimbridge AFC at Thornley Park.
The Magpies head into the clash hoping to recover from a difficult Bank Holiday weekend that brought back-to-back defeats against Berkhamsted and Farnham Town. Manager Tom Killick’s side are still searching for their first win of the season, having drawn two and lost three in the Southern League so far.
Slimbridge in red-hot form
Their opponents, Slimbridge, arrive in superb form. The Hellenic Premier League leaders have made an unbeaten start to the campaign, winning seven of their first eight matches. Prolific in front of goal, the Swans have struck 22 times and conceded just six, with forward Casey Collins (six goals), Jack W Smith (five), and midfielder Raiyan Ahmed (four) all carrying a major threat.
Slimbridge have already seen off Corsham Town and Portishead to reach this stage of the competition, and will be confident of testing higher-level opposition in Dorchester.
Magpies looking for a spark
For Dorchester, attacking midfielder Tom Smith will be a key figure after netting three times already this season. Summer signing Joe Parker has also scored twice and will be eager to add more against the Swans. However, the Magpies still face injury concerns, with Marcus Daws and Gerard Benfield sidelined.
Victory would not only provide a morale boost but also secure the Magpies’ first appearance in the FA Cup second qualifying round since 2022/23. Recent years have been frustrating, with exits at Banbury and Plymouth Parkway, and fans are desperate for a fresh cup run to spark the season into life.
Cup memories
Supporters still fondly remember the club’s famous 2012/13 FA Cup journey, which included a stunning 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the first round proper—Dorchester’s first-ever victory over a Football League side. A repeat of that kind of magic would be the perfect tonic after a difficult start to the season.
Kick-off at Thornley Park is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, August 30.
