DORCHESTER TOWN 2

HAYES & YEADING 1

DORCHESTER Town secured a vital win with a spirited performance against Hayes & Yeading United at the Avenue.

The Magpies had been looking to get back to winning ways following Saturday’s first half collapse, which saw them defeated 4-2 by mid-table Redditch United.


Visitors Hayes & Yeading came into the game in torrid form, having only won one game in their last 15 league fixtures, a run which had seem them fall to third from bottom in the league.


Dubbed a clichéd six-pointer, the Magpies would be hoping they could get a positive result to ensure they were not dragged further into the relegation battle, with defeat destined to put them just four points above the drop zone.


Craig Laird welcomed two new additions to the matchday squad, striker Phil Ormrod and midfielder Jake Mawford, who joined on non-contract deals just one hour before kick-off and went straight into the starting line-up.


Jordan Williams and Captain Nathan Walker also returned, with Jason Brookes, Ollie Bassett, Franklyn Clarke and David Jerrard were not even named on the bench.


It was an excellent start for the Magpies, who took the lead after just a minute when debutant Mawford capitalised on some bad defending to hit a left footed effort in off the post.


The mist in the air contributed to a scrappy opening, but United looked keen to get the ball down and play, leading to a tame effort from 20 yards being easily picked up by Shane Murphy in goal.


Both sides were creating chances, and Dorchester went close again on nine minutes when a Tom Blair cross found Walker in the middle, who got above his marker but headed over the crossbar.


Olly Mehew was looking lively up front, using his pace and intelligent running to cause problems for the visiting defence, who looked visibly nervy at the back.


Playing alongside Mehew was new signing Ormrod, who looked every bit the typical number nine, using his physical presence to unsettle the defence further.


It was Hayes who were dominating possession in the opening period, but the Magpies looked organised and determined in their defence, with two banks of four looking well drilled to keep out the opposition threat.


The visitors did have two early shouts for a corner, which were questionably knocked back much to the frustration of the opposition bench.


Dorchester looked up for the fight, getting to the loose balls quickest and implementing a strong pressing game to give the visitors little time on the ball.


They were however caught out with around 10 minutes of the first half remaining, as Neil Martin, who was already on a yellow card, went in late on the attacker to give Hayes a penalty which was converted by Anthony Edgar. Despite the foul Martin got off with a final warning.


The penalty gave belief to the visitors with Edgar forcing a sublime save from a 30 yard free-kick, as the Magpies appeared to be rocked by the equaliser as the half reached its climax.


Matt Oldring nearly got the second half off to a flyer with a left footed effort being well saved by Danny Boness in the Hayes goal.


Oldring was part of the drama again as Anthony Edgar went in with a high challenge, much to the fury of the Magpies right back, which led to the goalscorer being sent off.


The sending off seemed to buoy the home team, with Ormrod and then Oldring having efforts to give them the lead.


Both side looked wary of going all out for the win, but Laird introduced Ollie Griggs and Lewis Powell, to allow some fresh legs to catch out a tiring Hayes team.


Dorchester did get the breakthrough in the last ten minutes as a long ball found the second debutant, Ormrod who rounded the keeper with composure before finishing to give the Magpies a deserved lead.


The Magpies did well in the final stages to stave off a physical Hayes & Yeading side, as they ran down the clock, and stayed compact at the back.


Overall it was a thoroughly professional job done by Laird's team, who showed the grit and character required to ensure they aren't embroiled in an end-of-season scrap.


Magpies: Murphy, Oldring, Martin (Griggs 63), Vance, Walker (c),  Down, Blair (Davis 88), Mawford (Powell 79), Ormrod, Mehew, Williams
Subs: Ayunga, Mitchell


Hayes & Yeading United: Boness, Jones, Connor, Sambou, Adebiyi, Smith, Edgar, Hope, Kearney (Martin), Hutton, Brown
Subs: Stevenson, Sinclair, Fernandes, Benton
Sent off: Edgar (56)


Referee: Daniel Lamport (Swindon)
Attendance: 264