St Albans City v Dorchester Town Blue Square South – Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Clarence Park (Kick off 7.45pm) DORCHESTER make the long journey to Hertfordshire tonight hoping to secure a vital three points in this rearranged game as they battle to avoid t

St Albans City v Dorchester Town

Blue Square South - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Clarence Park (Kick off 7.45pm)

DORCHESTER make the long journey to Hertfordshire tonight hoping to secure a vital three points in this rearranged game as they battle to avoid the drop.

It's been a turbulent time down on the South Coast, with rumours of a merger with local rivals Weymouth, a mass exodus of players including leading scorer Jamie Mudge and the resignation of boss Shaun Brooks.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell has ended speculation that the club will merge with Weymouth and there was a further boost when Roy O'Brien recorded his first win since taking over the managerial reigns, with a 1-0 victory over Havant & Waterlooville.

Last Meeting - The points were shared when City travelled to the Jewson Stadium in August with all the action coming in the opening 15 minutes. Paul Hakim opened the scoring for City in the tenth minute but this was soon cancelled out by Jamie Mudge's first goal of the campaign.

Form - A 3-0 defeat against Maidenhead United on Saturday has left Dorchester in relegation trouble. The Magpies are six points clear of the relegation zone but Thurrock, who occupy the final spot in the bottom three, have two games in hand.

O'Brien's side looked like they had eased their relegation troubles when they beat fellow battlers Havant & Waterlooville 1-0 last week but Saturday's result means they come to Clarence Park in desperate need of three points.

Players to Watch - Dorchester fought off fierce competition from several Blue Square Premier sides to clinch the signing of Nick Crittenden from neighbours Weymouth during the summer. The former Chelsea trainee has gained a reputation as a fine footballer in non-league football after helping Yeovil Town and Aldershot into the Football League. The tricky winger has chipped in with two goals this season.

Goalkeeper Gareth Stewart has been a near ever-present for Town this season, missing just one league game since his transfer from League Two side Bournemouth in August last year. Stewart chalked up 150 appearances for the Cherries in a nine-year stay with the club and he will be looking to build on the nine clean sheets he has already recorded this season.

Midfielder Jamie Gleeson has been challenged by manager O'Brien to score more goals after he netted the winner in their win over Havant. The former Southampton trainee became the club's first ever full time professional in July 2007 and is in his fourth season at the Jewson Stadium.