Magpies: Dorchester in trouble as Bulls run riot

DORCHESTER are in deep trouble at the wrong end of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division table after slipping to their seventh consecutive away defeat at Hereford United.

The Magpies are just a point above the relegation zone and have now played the same amount of games as fourth-from bottom Arlesey going into their crucial home game against Cambridge City this Saturday.

Dorchester’s first win of the season was a 3-0 success against Hereford back in August, but the Magpies faced a different team to the one they previously faced.

Only four Hereford players remained from the game in Aug-ust having had more than 40 players on their books.

The Bulls have had all sorts of problems off the field after dropping into the Southern League and face another winding-up hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice on December 1.

But, on the pitch, the team are in fine form and went into the game having won their previous three games in all competitions.

Magpies’ boss Graham Kemp made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 against Biggleswade in their last game.

Mason Walsh, the son of former Tottenham and Portsmouth striker Paul Walsh, was immediately drafted into the side in place of Jack Odam after again linking up with the Magpies.

The other change saw Matt Oldring replacing Danny Way at left-back.

Andy Robinson had Dorch-ester’s first shot on goal after two minutes, but his effort from a corner went over the bar.

The Magpies then forced a few other corners and looked likely in the opening exchanges.

But Hereford opened the scoring when Bilal Yafai – who is being courted by Championship side Cardiff City – lashed the ball home after Magpies’ keeper Alan Walker-Harris saved well from a rasping Steve Vetier drive.

Three minutes later, Hereford almost made it 2-0, but Walker-Harris made himself big to thwart in-form Bulls’ striker Serge Mor Diop.

Diop was causing all sorts of problems to the Dorchester defence and had two further chances in the 21st and 24th minute, but neither effort tested Walker-Harris.

Dorchester finally produced an effort of note in the 33rd minute, but Ben Joyce’s effort was weak and was easily saved by Hereford goalkeeper Luke Williams.

Dan Smith then let fly from distance, but his shot flew over the bar.

Just before half-time, Hereford extended their lead when Diop stabbed the ball home from a few yards out after Dorchester failed to deal with Josh Hawker’s free-kick.

The Magpies were handed a lifeline in the 57th minute when Hereford captain Brad-Lee Gas-coigne upended Walsh in the penalty box.

But Bulls’ stopper Williams produced a fantastic stop to deny Smith.

And the miss proved costly as two minutes later, Hereford made it 3-0 when Diop headed in Yafai’s cross.

The Bulls almost added a fourth 20 minutes from time when Hawker’s free-kick from 25 yards was pushed on to a post by Walker-Harris.

Dorchester then had a chance of their own two minutes later but Walsh’s drive was comfortably saved by Williams before substitute Kieron Parrett’s header was deflected for a corner.

Hereford should have scored again a minute from time, but Sam Bobes-Gilroy somehow blazed his effort over the bar from just two yards out.

But they did put the ball in the back of the net shortly afterwards when substitute Daniel Sullivan calmly slotted home to seal Dorchester’s fate.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Hanger (Murray 46), Oldring, Rolls, Walker, Robinson, Crittenden (Godfrey 67), Lanahan, Walsh, Smith (Parrett 74). Subs not used: Murphy, Brookes

Bulls: Williams, Roberts. Cutajar, Hawker, Gascoigne, Gordon, Vetier, Bobes-Gilroy, Diop, Yafai (Sullivan 82), Oneyeike (Ciani 74). Subs not used: Kone, O’Neill, Mahony

Bookings: Magpies – Oldring (foul 51), Smith (foul 67)

Bulls: Gascoigne (foul 57), Yafai (unsporting behaviour 75)

Referee: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua (Worcestershire)

Attendance: 239