Dorchester boss delighted after battling show at Welling (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester boss delighted after battling show at Welling

9:30am Monday 4th February 2013 in Sport

THERE was no hiding Phil Simkin’s pride at his team’s performance at Welling on Satur-day – he was just disappointed they did not get the reward their display merited.

The Magpies’ boss felt the visitors deserved at least a draw and was adamant that they were denied what he thought looked a nailed on penalty in the first half.

However, Simkin is convinced that if his side can keep on producing the same brand of football for the rest of the season then they will have no problems staying in Blue Square Bet South.

Goals from Ashley Nicholls and Charlie Clough had hauled the Magpies level on two occasions at Park View Road but Welling claimed a 3-2 win thanks to Ross Lafayette’s 79th-minute strike.

“It’s disappointing,” Simkin told Echosport. “We played exceptionally well against a side that could push Salisbury all the way for the league.

“We didn’t deserve to lose, the least we deserved was a point, but it seems that every time we make a mistake we get punished.

“But the lads played really well and so I’m pleased for them but gutted at the same time.

“We were applauded off the pitch by our supporters and board and the players fully deserved it because we matched them blow for blow.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from them, they were terrific, their application was terrific and Ashley Nicholls was absolutely outstanding and if he isn’t the best midfielder in this league I don’t know who is.

“Lewis Morgan played his first game for two months and he was outstanding in the middle of the pitch and Harry Bell and Neil Martin were exceptional as well.

“After the unfortunate evening we had last Monday this was a breath of fresh air.

“And if we carry on like this we won’t have any problems for the rest of the season.

“It’s going to be a long, hard two or three months but if we produce that on a semi-regular basis we’ll be okay.”

On the penalty claim, he added:  “Ben Watson had his legs taken as he turned but the referee just blanked it. He was under a lot of pressure though. They have a very vocal crowd up there and he crumbled under the pressure.

“It looked a stonewall penalty from where I was sitting.”

The Dorchester chief also commented for the first time on the news of Jamie Gleeson’s new two-year contract and the club’s signing of Portland United’s Carl Mutch on dual registration forms as potential cover for midweek games.

Simkin said: “Jamie is an excellent footballer and has been a great player for the club for many years.

“It’s massive for us that he has signed a new deal and the club has granted him a testimonial too.

“He’s been great for us and loves it here and with Lewis Morgan back in midfield we are where we were a couple of months ago.

“Carl Mutch is an old friend of mine. He played for me at Hamworthy and could have gone on to a higher level but for whatever reason he didn’t and is going to fill in midweek if we need him. I’m very grateful to Chris Wilson at Portland for helping us out.”

* Poole Town have confirmed the signing of striker Warren Byerley until the end of the 2013/14 season. The 27-year-old moved to Dorchester on non-contract terms in November before joining the Tatnam club on dual registration.

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