DORCHESTER RES 3

WINCHESTER CITY RES 1

THE Magpies delighted boss Dave Kiteley as they got their Wyvern Premier League season off to a winning start at the Avenue.

Two goals in the space of 10 minutes midway through the first-half took the game away from Winchester after they had cancelled out Jamie Beasley’s opener.

A number of players made their competitive debuts for the hosts with Kiteley particularly imp-ressed by the centre-half pairing of Craig Michie and Tony Rolls.

Beasley, an unused substitute in the first-team’s draw at Gosport on Monday, gave the Magpies the lead early on when he scored with a left-foot shot following good build-up play from captain Will Gape and Alex Godfrey.

But then Winchester got on the front foot and could well have drawn level had it not been for a brilliant reflex save from home keeper Dan Floyd.

The visitors were cursing their bad luck again moments later when a linesman flagged for offside seconds after referee Ian Knaur had awarded them a penalty.

Their pressure did eventually tell and when the equaliser went in it looked like the Hampshire outfit would go on to get another.

However, Magpies’ skipper Gape stepped up to score with a stunning 30-yard effort that flew into the top corner, and the visitors were left reeling when Michie headed in Jack Twyford’s corner to make it 3-1.

There were no more goals after the interval although Twyford and Dan Peart had chances to grab a fourth in the second-half, the former being particularly unlucky as he proved a cons- tant threat to the Winchester defence.

Kiteley gave run-outs to Jason Kennard and Antony Carlile, who came off the bench for Beasley and Jack Vallier, and late in the game 19-year-old Rodney Gwenzi, another addition to the squad this summer, replaced Godfrey.

“It was a very good performance and an enjoyable game to watch,” said Kiteley. “Both sides tried to play the game in the right way.

“The two goals in quick succession in the first-half knocked the stuffing out of Winchester and gave us a springboard to press on.

“We started well and set a good tempo but after Jamie scored we stopped doing what we had been and they were the better side.

“I thought they were unlucky not to get a penalty although their goal looked three or four yards offside.

“But Will’s goal was a stunning strike and really put a spring in our step and then Craig got a header from a corner.”

He added: “The new lads did well and Craig and Tony have got the makings of an outstanding partnership at the back.

“Sam Smith at right-back looks another good prospect and Rodney is a very skilful wide player.”

Magpies: Floyd, Smith, Way, Michie, Rolls, Peart, Twyford, Gape, Vallier (Carlile 65), Godfrey (Gwenzi 80), Beasley (Kennard 65) * The Magpies’ are in action again next Tuesday when they host Bemerton Heath Harlequins (7.45pm).