AFTER a disappointing performance last Saturday we faced Dorchester on Tuesday evening.

A fantastic start to the game saw us two goals up after nine minutes and we possibly could have been further ahead. Unfortunately in the end we had to settle for a point but I felt once again we were better than the result we came away with.

The pitches in the last two games have been very heavy so it's important that we look after players and get the right amount of work and recovery in so we can perform again on Saturday.

It was great to see Stuart Lake and Simon Dunn get on the scoresheet again and with Shaun McAuley netting on Saturday the midfielders are starting to chip in with goals, which is a real positive.

Bromley this Saturday will be another real tough game. They have a lot of attacking talent and will be a constant threat, so we will need to be at our best to take anything from the game.

We are holding our first set of trials for next year's academy in a couple of weeks. This is an opportunity for any aspiring footballers to trial for our full-time scheme, which combines training every day and education.

This season is our first as a full-time academy and it has been a fantastic start. The players are visibly becoming stronger and better, the attitude has been first class and it sets a good example for the next group of players coming through.

I am confident that if the progression continues we will soon be seeing more players like Simon Dunn come through to make an impact with the first team.

We have numerous players shining every week and these players are only 16-years-old - so the future is looking good for Basingstoke Town.

Regards,

Jason