DORCHESTER TOWN 2

WIMBORNE TOWN 1

DORCHESTER Town’s Ability Counts Lulworth team continued their good form ahead of their People's FA Cup final tournament on Sunday, April 29, by beating Wimborne 2-1 at Redlands.

Dorchester were at a disadvantage from the start, having only eligible to field six players against Wimborne’s seven.

County town keeper Dan Williamson was forced into action in the opening minutes, getting down low to deny the Wimborne striker.

Wimborne went closer moments later, with a ranged effort striking the bar.

Despite Dorchester closing down their opponents well, Wimborne’s pressure paid off.

Dan Williamson could only parry a shot away, giving Wimborne striker Luke Robinson the opportunity to put the Cuthbury-based side ahead.

Dorchester, being a goal behind, rallied on. Kieran Pitman found space before striking the ball low from range. The ball hit the post to the goalkeeper's right, before falling at the feet of striker Alfie Lumb.

Lumb struck the ball first time at an angle though could also only find the post.

Dorchester needed luck to get back in the game, and found it through a set-piece from a throw-in.

Pitman threw the ball into the box with Lumb beating defenders to turn the ball goalbound with his head to draw the game level.

Dorchester used this momentum to their advantage.

Danny Kiy dispossessed Liam Thorne less than a minute later, and struck the ball from range at such an angle, of which, the keeper could not stop. This gave Dorchester the lead just before half-time.

The hosts struggled in the second half and would have conceded a second if not for the superb defensive displays of Kieron Eden and Kevin Williamson.

Wimborne went close in the final moments, finding a player in space, only for him to clear the crossbar.

There were strong claims for a Wimborne penalty, although the referee had judged Kevin Williamson to have taken the ball from a sliding challenge.

Manager Jason Brookes knew that his team had to give 100 per cent in what he described as a tough fixture.

Brookes was quick to praise both goal scorers.

He said: "The team deserved three points with goals like that.”

The county town side are now focused on the finals of People’s FA Cup at St.Georges Park.

Dorchester’s Inclusion team were also in action against rivals Weymouth Cougars.

The Cougars stunned the Magpies and were 2-0 up in the first half.

Logan Legg followed on from his People’s Cup form netting for Dorchester early in the second half.

The youngster drifted through the Weymouth defence to finish a fantastic solo effort, scoring on his debut for the senior side.

Dorchester’s comeback continued with luck from an own goal and turned the game in their favour when Jamie Bown blasted a shot from range, with the ball rupturing the net.

Weymouth had the final say, when a long ball bedazzled both defender Dan Ralph and goalkeeper Jordan Pitman to loop over Pitman and into the back of the net. The game finished 3-3.