Massive win for Magpies (From Dorset Echo)

Massive win for Magpies

8:20am Monday 10th October 2011 in Match Reports By Ky Capel

STAINES TOWN 0

Dorchester TOWN 2

Moss 34, Devlin 90

ASHLEY Vickers repaid the faith shown in him by chairman Shaun Hearn – leading the Magpies to a crucial win at fellow strugglers Staines Town.

A board meeting was held early last week to discuss the future of the county town boss following four straight defeats in all competitions.

But Vickers avoided the axe with Hearn insisting the club had to remain patient in its quest for success.

And the latter’s loyalty reaped immediate rewards, with Ryan Moss and Steve Devlin finding the net at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.

First-team coach Andy Harris said: “It was a good performance all-round by the lads.

“We keep stats for every game and we know that creating chances has not been a problem for us, providing the finishing touch is what has let us down recently.

“If you have a lot of pressure and don’t capitalise on it then you’re always likely to concede one at the other end.

“We created numerous opportunities again on Saturday so we were delighted to see Ryan get his goal, because he has been getting into good positions but not getting the rub of the green.

“He made a good run for his goal and it was just desserts for all his hard work.

“We were hanging on in the last five minutes so it was good to put the game to bed, especially with nine minutes of added time.

“I can be quite critical at times and one swallow doesn’t make a summer so we need to try and eradicate the inconsistency that has surrounded the club for a number of seasons.

“Staines is a difficult place to go but we limited them to a handful of chances and we need to take the hard work and endeavour we showed into the rest of the season.”

To add to the joy, the opening goal was set up by new arrival Adam Mekki, who was handed his Dorchester debut after arriving on a month’s loan from Aldershot Town.

Harris was delighted with the teenager’s input, adding: “We got him in for his creativity and he showed great feet in the build-up to the first goal.

“He is young and hungry and although he’s lacking a bit of match fitness, he can only get better and hopefully he’ll prove to be a good acquisition.”

The Magpies made three changes in a bid to stop the rot of four successive reversals – including a disappointing FA Cup exit.

Devlin, Chris Flood and Neil Martin all dropped to the bench with Mekki, Harrison Bell and Jake Smeeton handed their first starts of the season.

The latter was, perhaps surprisingly, also made captain in the absence of Mark Jermyn.

The alterations paid off for Vickers as the visitors took a one-goal lead into the half-time break.

Dorchester enjoyed more possession than their hosts but clear-cut openings were at a premium.

However, the one big chance that did fall their way, resulted in the opening goal.

Moss flicked a header into the path of Ben Dickenson, who switched the play and picked out new boy Mekki.

The 19-year-old beat his man down the left flank before delivering a dangerous centre that was met on the half-volley by leading marksman Moss, who bagged his fourth of the season in the process.

The lead remained intact in the second half and although Moss went close to adding to his tally, the Magpies were made to withstand a late barrage from the Massive in the closing stages – not helped by the referee’s decision to play nine minutes of added time.

But after soaking up the home pressure, the county town outfit secured victory when Smeeton crossed for substitute Devlin to secure victory.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Tallack, Smeeton, Dovell, N Walker, Critchell, Bell (Martin 75), Gleeson, Moss, Dickenson (Flood 60), Mekki (Devlin 60). Subs not used: Symes, Jordan.

Booked: Moss, Gleeson.

Attendance: 298