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11th March 2010
FOOTBALL ROUND UPSt Albans City 2 Dorchester Town 1 DORCHESTER Town were stunned to have left St Albans City’s Clarence Park Stadium empty-handed on Tuesday evening. The Magpies went into the game full of confidence borne from a promising run that had yielded 14 points from a possible 27. Caretaker manager Ashley Vickers, who turned out 90 times for the Saints in the late 90s, was forced to ring the changes following Saturday’s draw with Woking. With Kyle Critchell in Portugal lining-up in the Wales non-league representative team Jamie Gleeson returned to the midfield engine room. Neil Martin came in for Ryan Hill and Ryan Moss returned to the starting line-up as flu saw James Coutts consigned to the bench. But it was the hosts who opened the scoring shortly afterwards when Dorch’ skipper Kevin Hill’s handball was spotted by referee Karl Fitch and Drew Roberts slotted home the resulting spot-kick low past Regan Coward. This sparked a torrent of Magpies attacks which resulted in 10 corners and, eventually, an equaliser. In the 35th minute City defender Gary Cohen was adjudged to have pushed Nathan Walker and once again referee Fitch pointed to the spot. Matt Groves stepped up to send veteran keeper Paul Bastock the wrong way. But the visitors were level for barely three minutes as Jake Beecroft capitalised on Martin’s stumble to set-up Roberts who tapped in his second of the evening. There was still time in a pulsating first-half for Devlin to thud an effort against the upright and Bastock to twice come to his side’s rescue. The second 45 failed to live up to the first and the Saints held on to bag the three points. There was late drama of the wrong sort when late substitute Jules Emati-Emati’s challenge appeared to have seriously injured James Quilter. The home full-back was stretchered off amid fears of a broken leg, fortunately scans have since revealed no fracture just severe bruising. Magpies line-up: Regan Coward, Mark Jermyn, Neil Martin, Warren Byerley (Jules Emati-Emati, 83), Nathan Walker, Kevin Hill, Nick Crittenden, Jamie Gleeson, Ryan Moss, Matt Groves (James Coutts, 63), Steve Devlin. Unused subs: Gary Bowles, Adam Taylor, Steve Gilbert. KYLE Critchell enjoyed his experience as a member of the Wales semi-professional side despite suffering a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Portugal last week. The Dorchester Town defender played the entire International Challenge Trophy match against a star studded Portugal U-23 side that included Bolton's Ricardo Vaz Te who scored two of the goals, as well as players from Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. The match played at the Municipal Stadium in Fatima saw the 23-year-old Dorchester born Critchell start in the centre of defence before moving to left back before finally playing the last quarter of the match in central midfield. After going behind early, Wales equalised with a goal from Haverfordwest County’s Jack Wilkinson but trailed 3-1 at the interval. The Portuguese added two more before Altrincham defender Rob Williams scored from a corner to make the score 5-2 but the Welsh conceded two more in what was a comprehensive victory for the home side. YEOVIL Town have given seven days notice of approach to Dorchester Town in respect of Jamie Symes. The talented 16-year-old signed for Blue Square South Dorchester Town last October but is currently playing for his home club Bridport in the Toolstation Western League First Division having signed dual registration forms. Symes recently had a successful trial with Championship side Blackpool and was told he would be invited back later in the year but is unable to turn professional until his 17th birthday. Despite being pursued by league clubs, Symes has decided to stay in Dorset for the time being. Dorchester assistant manager Phil Simkin said: “Jamie will be staying with us until the end of the season. As his parent club we are quite happy with his progress so far. We don’t think he is perhaps physically strong enough for Blue Square South football quite yet, although we may recall him later in the season. However he is getting regular football at Bridport where we are pleased with his progress.” Bridport manager Trevor Senior said: “I spoke with Jamie and advised him to see the season out with us. There is plenty of football to play and he is in a comfortable environment, but I guess he will be moving on at the end of the season.” MATT Groves’ second goal in a week couldn’t save Weymouth from yet another Blue Square South defeat at the View From Stadium on Tuesday evening. The match kicked-off 20 minutes late when the visitors bus was forced into a 14 mile detour to avoid a low bridge. Despite the lack of a normal pre-match warm-up routine Staines took the lead when Guyanan international Howard Newton drilled the ball home through a crowded Terras’ penalty area past Tim Sandercombe just after the half-hour mark. The build up to the game had seen the Weymouth camp hit by a sickness bug that resulted in both manager Jerry Gill and Reserve team manager Dave Kiteley unable to attend the match. The bug also sidelined Simon Ratcliffe who was joined by Martin Slocombe (ankle) and Luke Benbow on the unavailable list. With assistant first-team manager Andy Harris in the starting line-up club chairman George Rolls took a seat in the dug-out in a case of ‘all hands to the pump’. Groves levelled 10 minutes later stabbing the ball past Louis Wells from close in after a goalmouth melee but the Swans moved up to third in the table when Newton netted again with what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half-time. The second period saw the Terras produce one of their most effective performances since the controversial sacking of popular manager Ian Hutchinson back in January – what a shame it was seen by just 365 hardy souls in Weymouth’s smallest attendance in more than 20 years. ONLY a superb display from keeper Tim Sandercombe and resolute defending from the departing Scott Brice kept Weymouth in this game which threatened to be a walkover for the league leaders. Ahead after three minutes Newport County continued to squander a host of chances in the first half that would have seen them home and dry, and when Weymouth had the temerity to equalise 15 minutes from time, immediately responded, scoring straight from the kick-off. Sandercombe made a series of saves throughout the match to keep his side in the game, but couldn’t prevent the Exiles taking the lead on three minutes when Stuart Douglas fed Kerry Morgan on the right hand corner of the penalty box. Completely unmarked he had time to stride forward and beat Sandercombe with an angled drive across the keeper into the far corner. Sandercombe was then forced to save from Sam Foley at close range before having to dive at Paul Cochlin’s feet to prevent the visitors adding to their lead. Weymouth claimed a penalty with their first meaningful effort on goal when Luke Benbow was put through by Jamie McGuiness but went down under the challenge of Martyn Giles just outside the box. Stephen Reed was booked for remonstrating with the ref Daniel Cook and manager Jerry Gill went to see the official at half-time so incensed were they with his decision, but video evidence clearly shows Mr Cook was correct as Giles clearly dispossessed the Terra striker with a tremendous tackle. Brice then clipped Douglas’ heels as the former Terra broke raced in on goal and was booked for the offence, and from the resulting free kick Sandercombe brilliantly pushed away Danny Rose’s curling effort. Weymouth chances were few and far between but Matt Groves came close to equalising with a volley that was scrambled off the line by Foley and keeper Glyn Thompson, whilst at the other end Scott Dixon blocked Morgan’s effort on the line after the striker was given an almost empty goal to shoot at. Sandercombe continued to thwart Newport and it looked like his courage had paid off when the Terras equalised with 15 minutes to go. Thompson raced out of his box to head clear, but his poor effort went to Josh Llewellyn whose lob deflected off a defender and dropped into the net. The Terras joy lasted seconds as Foley sprinted down the right wing from the kick-off before crossing the perfect ball to the unmarked Rose who couldn’t miss with a header from six yards. Newport made sure of the points on 84 minutes when Foley was allowed to stride forward and power home a low 35-yard drive beyond Sandercombe. BRIDPORT Reserves picked up their first point of the year but missed out on two more after surrendering a two-goal lead at the weekend- After the break the home side went into self-destruct and conceded three goals in seven minutes. The team re-grouped and on the hour mark striker Ben Clarke equalised volleying home from Tommy Coggins cross. Carl Bulman had a chance to win the game late on but could only watch as his lob went agonisingly wide of the post. Manager Mike Savage said: “I was happy with the performance and to pick up our first point of the year. “I would have taken the point at the start of the game but it was frustrating to see us fold in the second half. It has been our problem all season and it is just down to individual errors.” BRIDPORT 3rds cruised to a rather unexpectedly easy victory over Athletico Dorchester to book themselves a place in the final of the Dorset Junior Cup. The two sides have very similar records in Dorset Division Three and have a good chance of lifting the title, so it was rather surprising that the Bees victory was so comprehensive. Although they only led by a single strike at the break, three goals in the first 17 minutes of the second-half goals ensured Bridport’s place in the final on April 20th. Despite some neat play from wing backs Simon Harrison and Mark Cutler, Athletico never really produced the opportunities to upset a Bridport defence well marshalled by the experienced Jason Forbes. However at the other end the Bees front three of Jake Scovell, Baptista and Simon Jones were dangerous and incisive and could have scored more. Baptista set the pattern for the afternoon on four minutes, battling his way past three Athletico defenders but then seeing his flick with the outside of his right boot just drift wide of the post. Two minutes later Bridport almost took the lead when Jones’ shot beat Athletico’s keeper Matt Newcombe but came back off the base of the post. The ball rebounded wide of the goal where Andy Davies got the end of his toe on the ball but it was scrambled off the line as it gently rolled towards goal. It was 18 minutes before the visitors had a shot on goal but Bees keeper Will Meech had no problem dealing with Cutler’s 25-yard effort. Bridport took the lead three minutes later when Baptista skipped down the left wing before cutting the ball back from the bye line to Jones who wrong footed Newcombe by slotting the ball back across the keeper into the corner of the net from 10 yards. Cutler then tested Meech at his near post with a fierce shot from the corner of the penalty area that saw the Bees keeper turn it around the post for a corner. Although Bridport had the lion’s share of the play constantly putting their opponents defence under pressure, Athletico’s Harrison might have done better after chesting down a cross but he delayed his shot and was blocked out by the Bee’s defence. The Dorchester defence managed to scramble the ball clear to stop going further behind four minutes from the break after Newcombe bravely saved at Baptista’s feet. When the ball broke free to Scovell, Athletico’s skipper Scott King smuggled the ball away from him. The second half was barely a minute old when King became the villain when he brought down Scovell inside the box. Jones confidently fired home the spot-kick for his second of the game. Bridport took over after this to dominate the game and a good move saw David’s teasing cross just missed Scovell’s outstretched leg. Scovell however got the goal his endeavour deserved two minutes later when he controlled Steve Battrick’s left wing cross before driving past Newcombe from just inside the area. Athletico’s best chance of the match fell to big Brendan Carroll on the hour when he met Carl Hicks cross unmarked on the penalty spot but he headed the ball well over the top of the goal. Bridport sealed victory on 62 minutes when King sent Jones crashing to the ground just inches from the right hand line of the penalty box; an act that earned him a booking. Jones slipped the free-kick to Battrick who was unceremoniously floored inside the box giving Jones the chance of his hat trick from a second penalty. Newcombe managed to block his poor spot kick but the ball rolled into the Bees striker’s path for him to side foot home. Athletico pulled a goal back three minutes later from a third penalty kick, awarded after Ali Boyer was adjudged to have handled the ball, and Hicks easily beat Meech from the spot. With the game effectively over the match petered out with neither side really threatening the goal although Scovell did fire a 30-yarder over the bar as the game drifted to a close. Speaking to the View From at St Mary’s Playing Field immediately after the match, manager Steve Crabb said: “I’m delighted with our performance. It was a very young side out there, with three 16 and three 17-year-olds with just a couple of older heads. “It was a fairly even first-half which I think we just shaded, but I think our fitness and youth paid dividends after the break. Fair play to Athletico they kept going but on the day we were worthy winners.” Whilst Crabb was pleased with the overall team performance he added: ”I thought Tom Knott was superb at the back, and read the game very well for such a young lad. He gets better every game under Jason’s (Forbes) guidance. “Steve Legg ran himself into the ground in midfield, covering every inch of the pitch, whilst the front three and particularly Robin Jones gave their back four a torrid time.” Bridport 3rd’s opponents in the final will be fellow League 3 side Windowman FC Reserves who beat Thorncombe 3-0 in the other semi-final. When the two sides last met at St Mary’s Playing Field last month, the referee abandoned the game just before the end of the match when the Windowman’s manager ran on to the pitch to remonstrate and refused to leave. Bridport showed their intentions right from the start by playing only one defender, and once they breached the Cougars defence after five minutes there was only one winner. Jamie Herbert was Bridport’s player of the match. Return to news headlines.ff | |||||||||||||||
