LEAMINGTON 3

Austin 9, 53, George 73

DORCHESTER TOWN 0

DORCHESTER Town were put to the sword by promotion-chasers Leamington as a rousing display by the Brakes saw off the Magpies at the New Windmill Ground.

A brace for Leamington’s Sam Austin set the home side on their way to victory and he turned provider for Ben George to condemn Mark Jermyn’s charges to defeat.

Dorchester, who sat 11th in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division table prior to kick-off, recalled midfielder Charlie Davis and striker Ben Watson to their starting XI to take on the Brakes after they missed out on the win over King’s Lynn Town. There was also a place for Liam Sayers in the squad who returned among the substitutes.

Player-manager Jermyn was not in the squad – there was also no Franklyn Clarke or Luke Holmes in the visitors’ ranks.

Striker Ben Mackey was named in the Leamington line-up following his match-winning goal against Poole Town on Saturday.

And it was Mackey who almost gave the home side an early breakthrough. He headed over after Richard Taundry’s long throw was flicked on by Jack Edwards.

Watson, on his return to the Magpies’ squad, then went close with seven minutes on the clock with a header, but it was the home side who gained an early advantage. A defensive mistake allowed Austin to run in on goal and drive the ball low past keeper Shane Murphy and into the net on nine minutes.

With Leamington in control, they then went in search of a quick-fire second. Good work from Austin down the right allowed him to find Courtney Baker-Richardson, whose shot from 12 yards flew over the bar.

Taundry then showed good awareness to take a quick free-kick and found Mackey, but Murphy was up to the task to deny the striker. Edwards then fired a shot wide and the Magpies’ chances were limited.

Dorchester stopper Murphy was then once again called into action to make a sharp double save and deny James Mace to keep the score at 1-0.

And after absorbing the Brakes’ pressure, the Magpies could have gone in at the break level. Jake Smeeton’s strike from 20 yards just grazed the top of the bar.

Following half-time, Toby Holmes then almost capitalised after Leamington keeper Tony Breeden dropped the ball inside his area, but with that chance going begging, Dorchester were punished.

Murphy pushed the ball away under pressure from Baker-Richardson, but Austin popped up again to add his second of the evening and give the Magpies a mountain to climb – he then forced another good save which denied him his hat-trick.

The Magpies were then limited to half chances once again falling to Smeeton and Watson but with 73 minutes gone the game was over as a contest.

Austin this time was the architect, playing in George, who had a vast amount of time to put home a third for the Brakes and strike the hammer blow to Dorchester’s hopes.

Magpies: Murphy, Crittenden, Smeeton, Dillon, Lander, Bowles (Brookes), Davis, T Holmes (Sayers), Walker, Watson, Martin (Proffitt).

Subs not used: Tarbuck, Walker-Harris

Referee: Neil Pratt

Attendance: 312