FROME TOWN 0

DORCHESTER TOWN 4

Walker 32, 78, 88, Mateus 41

A PERFECT hat-trick from Nathan Walker helped Dorchester Town to their best performance of the season as they soundly beat Frome Town 4-0 at the Special Effects Stadium.

First-half goals from Walker and Mario Mateus gave Dorchester a deserved lead at the break.

After some rearguard defending, Walker completed his hat-trick to seal a great result for the Magpies.

Player-manager Mark Jermyn gave a second debut to Lewis Morgan as he made two changes to the side that got a point against Stratford Town on Saturday.

Dory Yates was the other to be brought into the team as the pair replaced the departed Tony Lee, who played on Tuesday at centre-back for Whitehawk, and David Jerrard.

The added guile in midfield helped the visitors take control of the game from the outset.

Their best chances in the opening exchanges came from set plays. Two Neil Martin corners found Matt Oldring, but he was unable to hit the target with either effort.

Down the other end, the hosts’ frontline looked blunt, apart from Jake Jackson.

He caused a couple of problems, trying his luck from range to no success. But, in the 27th minute he forced Shane Murphy, who had had little to do up to that point, into a low save.

Moments later, Darren Chitty had to be at his best to deny

Nathan Walker – playing up front – after he let fly with a dipping half volley from the edge of the box.

But, in the 32nd minute, Walker broke the deadlock. A poor header from Nathan Summers allowed the target man in behind and he produced a deft chip to beat Chitty and take a deserved lead for his side.

It had been a superb half from the visitors and Mateus made

it even better four minutes before the break.

Ben Wood did brilliantly to beat three defenders with a tenacious run and his driven cross eventually fell to Mateus, who from five yards out hammered home his first goal for the Magpies.

Frome started the second half the better, but the visitors defended stoutly and put in some good blocks and tackles to avert the danger.

As the bombardment continued, Jackson was allowed free space to shoot after Chris Dillon had fluffed a clearance. The striker’s shot lacked power and was easily saved by Murphy.

Seconds later, Wood found room on the left flank.

He found Walker, but the ball was slightly behind him and the shot went past the wrong side of a post.

Frustrations started to mount for the home side as Darren Jeffries resorted to trying his luck from range. His deflected shot was easily saved by Murphy as the game ticked past the 70 minute mark.

The Robins continued to press forward, but Dorchester continued to hold them off. Dillon was superb at the back, making numerous clearances as he marshalled the Magpies’ experienced backline.

Dorchester’s task was made easier with 15 minutes to go as Clayton Green was sent off.

Earlier booked for a silly push on Jake Smeeton, Green then lashed out on Mateus. The Dorchester players surrounded the referee looking for a card and they duly got one as referee Joshua Ainscow produced a second yellow to send the midfielder off for an early bath.

In the next attack, Dorchester sealed the game. Mateus – back on his feet – produced a wonderful cross to find Walker, who headed back across goal to put the game beyond doubt.

With the man advantage, Dorchester were threatening on the counter attack and added their fourth in the 88th minute. Ollie Bassett found Walker and he rifled home with his left foot to complete a perfect hat-trick.

Frome: Chitty, Miller, Gregan (Kirby 65), Summers (Mapstone 45), Roberts, Cleverly, Davies, Green, Jackson, Miller, Jeffries. Subs not used: Ferguson, Boulton, Gollege

Magpies: Murphy, Oldring, Smeeton, Jermyn, Martin, Dillon, Morgan (Jerrard 81), Yates, Walker, Mateus (Bassett 79), Wood (Sayers 83). Subs not used: Crittenden, Ayunga

Referee: Joshua Ainscow

Sent off: Frome – Green

Bookings: Frome – Green, Jeffries

Magpies – Oldring, Yates

Attendance: 235