DORCHESTER TOWN RES 2 AFC PORTCHESTER RES 2

DORCHESTER picked up their first point of the season in the Wyvern Premier Division with a 2-2 draw at home against AFC Portchester.

The visitors applied all the early pressure and took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes when Alfy Whittingham dribbled through the home backline before firing past Shane Murphy.

Simon Browne’s Magpies were then forced into an early change as Josh Hills replaced Josh Richardson.

However, a rapid turnaround in the home side’s fortunes followed.

First, Neil Martin found Ryan Ross with a great pass from the left flank and the latter smashed a shot beyond keeper Max Whittingham.

Then it was Martin’s turn to score when he found a way past the Portchester gloveman following a corner.

Boss Browne swapped Sol Ayunga for Luke Woodland at the break with the Magpies looking to strengthen their grip on the game.

An injury to Sam Old saw him leave the field to be replaced by Sam Pashen not long into the second half.

Jake Pepple went close to getting the visitors on level terms with a couple of efforts in quick succession, while Murphy produced a superb save a few minutes later.

Portchester finally managed to find a leveller when an unmarked Dale Mason turned the ball in at the far post.

Magpies: Murphy, Hurlstone, Martin, Wellman, Taylor, Richardson (Hills), Crittenden, Old (Pashen), Woodland (Ayunga), Brookes, Ross. Subs not used: Lucas, Sabine.