DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson admitted he was “sad” to see striker Rory Fallon announce his immediate retirement from football.

Fallon, 35, had played just two games for the Magpies, picking up injuries in each, before he was selected to represent New Zealand in their World Cup play-off defeat against Peru.

After failing to play a single minute of the All Whites’ 2-0 aggregate loss, Fallon declared his retirement on social media.

Speaking to Echosport about Fallon’s decision, Thompson praised the imposing forward for making a “big impact” at the Magpies.

He said: “I respect his decision, he’s had a long time to think about it. Things didn’t go to plan in the World Cup qualifier.

“He let me know his decision on Friday and it’s sad to see him go. He only played two games but he made a really big impact.

“I think he found it hard because he was due to go off to New Zealand and didn’t want to aggravate the injury he had.”

Fallon’s announcement leaves Dorchester with just one fit striker in Blake Davies after Phil Ormrod was injured in Saturday’s 4-1 in over Kettering, but Thompson refused to blame the Kiwi for the timing of his retirement.

He said: “In that respect I’m disappointed, especially as Phil picked up an injury on Saturday and could well miss next Saturday.

“Rory is that type of player, but what can we do? It’s a player’s decision. He has a business that he runs with his wife and I wish him all the best.

“He came in when I certainly needed to have him. Phil was just coming back from injury and he came in and did a good job.”

On Davies, Thompson was buoyed by the teenager’s display having replaced Ormrod in the 25th minute.

“At the moment we have got Phil and Blake, who came in for 70 minutes on Saturday. It was good for him to come into a winning team. He found it tough in the first 45 minutes.

“I did see signs in the last 20 that I did like. I think that will really help on Saturday.

“That will help his confidence and will help to settle him with the players. He’s been to two or three training sessions but that will be good for him.

“We lost our rhythm a bit but by the end he had a hand in the fourth goal.

“He had a great pull back for David Jerrard, who set up Mo Baghdadi. The players can see what he’s got and what he does,” the Magpies’ manager said.

n Dorchester Town Reserves' home match against Poole Town in the Wyvern Midweek Combination League has been postponed