Magpies: Dorchester undone by high-flying Redditch

DORCHESTER Town’s season took another turn for the worse tonight as they were soundly beaten by high-flying Redditch United at the Valley Stadium.

Jermaine Hylton’s brace and a George Carline strike helped the home side move up to second in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, just behind league leaders Poole on goal difference.

But they were given a big helping hand on their way to what turned out to be a comfortable win in the end.

Dorchester’s defending, which has come under so much scrutiny this term, left a lot to be desired, and they will know that all three goals could have been avoided.

The defeat piles even more pressure on to the shoulders of boss Graham Kemp and his players, who have the fifth worst defensive record in the league.

Things might be looking more settled off the pitch, but on it the team is conceding goals left, right and centre – they have let in 20 in their last six Premier Division outings.

The match had actually started on a positive note for the Magpies.

Jack Odam, in for Andy Robinson who didn’t feature in the matchday squad at all, had the first chance of the game.

But, after being put through on goal, the striker was denied by Sam Hornby when he perhaps should have tried lifting the ball over the Redditch keeper.

Odam was involved quite a lot in the opening stages, although the next opportunity he had ended with his shot sailing high over Hornby’s goal.

After weathering some early Dorchester pressure, Redditch came into the game more and were unlucky to see an effort come back off a post.

It was a fairly even contest for the first half an hour, and the Magpies certainly weren’t looking like a side languishing near the foot of the table.

However, following a promising start, the Magpies’ defensive demons cost them dearly yet again.

A ball down the middle of the pitch was missed by captain Nathan Walker, leaving Hylton to run through and slot past an exposed Alan Walker-Harris.

The last thing the visitors needed after the half-time interval was for Redditch to get a second – but that is exactly what happened.

And, again, it was a goal Dorchester must feel they could have prevented.

Like Hylton, Carline had scored in Redditch’s 5-2 victory over Biggleswade last Saturday, and he got his name on the scoresheet again just a few minutes into the second period.

At the other end, Walker nearly atoned for his error in the build up to the home side’s opener when he went close with a header.

Soon after that Walker was booked for a late tackle.

Any remote hope the Magpies had of salvaging something from the encounter was well and truly written off 13 minutes from the end.

That man Hilton was on the mark for a second time, making the county town outfit pay for another defensive blunder.

Redditch: Hornby, Jones, Cullinane-Liburd, Spink, Mutton, Flanagan, Angus, Dinsley, Je Hylton, Sammons, Carline. Subs: Caines, Maye, Oshungbure, Ja Hylton, Young.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Murray, Oldring, Gleeson, Walker, Dillon, Walsh, Lanahan, Matthews, Odam, Smith. Subs: Hanger, Murphy, Parrett, Brookes, Godfrey.

Bookings: Redditch – None

Magpies – Walker (foul)

Referee: Joe Clark

Attendance: 204