DORCHESTER RES 3 WIMBORNE RES  1

BOOSTED by a number of first-team faces, Dorchester Town Reserves recorded back-to-back wins in the Wyvern Premier League.

No fewer than seven senior squad members turned out at the Greene King IPA Community Stadium as the Magpies ran out 3-1 winners against their Wimborne Town counterparts.

Recent acquisition Arran Pugh captained the side, fit-again full-back Jake Smeeton made his first appearance since April while the likes of Nick Crittenden, Harrison Bell, Jamie Symes, Elliot Ward and Jon Garcia maintained their match-sharpness by gaining valuable minutes.

But it was the reserve-team regulars who grabbed the headlines with Alex Godfey, Josh Tennant and Antony Carlile all on the mark for Dave Kiteley’s charges.

The second-string boss said: “When they saw our line-up they must have thought crikey but full credit to Wimborne, they were a young side and they worked extremely hard and made life difficult for us.

“But it was comfortable in the end and we created a lot of chances. I wasn’t going to criticise the lads for the chances we missed though, as we worked their keeper and he made some great saves from the likes of Nick, Jake, Josh and Alex.

“The biggest thing was seeing people like Jake getting 90 minutes under their belt.

“He is a bit rusty but he missed the whole of pre-season and it was his first competitive game since the end of last season so it will take two or three games for him to reach his usual fitness levels.

“Arran also played and showed up very well. We lost Calvin Brooks to injury before the game so it was a good experience for Aston Butcher to play alongside someone of Arran’s ability.

“Nick got 90 minutes as well and I could watch him all day as he oozes class and is a top pro.

“Goals-wise it was good to see three of the reserve players get on the scoresheet. We only had four in the starting line-up and that included our goalkeeper Dan Floyd.”

Good work from Crittenden down the right flank saw the flying winger whip in a superb cross that was fired home at the back post by Godfrey for the opening goal.

Wimborne responded by restoring parity but back came the hosts and they regained their slender advantage prior to the break when Tennant grabbed his second goal in as many outings after charging down an attempted clearance.

Chances came and went as the visiting gloveman did his level best to keep Wimborne in the game.

But with 10 minutes remaining, the points were made safe when substitute Carlile controlled another Crittenden centre before turning and finding the back of the net.

Dorchester Town Reserves go in search of a third successive victory when they entertain Salisbury City on Tuesday night.

Magpies: Floyd, Bell, Smeeton, Butcher, Pugh, Symes, Crittenden, Ward (Gape 65), Tennant (Carlile 60), Godfrey, Garcia. Subs not used: Kimber, Taylor, Twyford.