Big Ben strikes for Magpies as Angels fall (From Dorset Echo)

Big Ben strikes for Magpies as Angels fall

8:22am Monday 31st October 2011 in Match Reports By Ky Capel

Dorchester TOWN 3

Dickenson 8, Moss 12, 89

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1

McLaggon 26

BEN Dickenson’s stock continues to rise as he inspired managerless Dorchester Town to their first home win in seven weeks.

The talented youngster scored one, set up another and played a major role in the third as the Magpies showed no ill-effects following the departure of axed boss Ashley Vickers 48 hours previous.

Acting manager Phil Simkin, who also saw Ryan Moss bag his fifth and sixth goals of the season, said: “The lads never once went long unless they had to.

“We tried to pass it. We knew it wouldn’t be easy going from one way of playing to another just like that but we’ve taken a step forward in terms of changing the way we play.

“We’re nowhere near it yet but we didn’t panic and bosh it in the corners. We kept the ball and we deserved to be 2-0 up. But they have scored a lot of goals in the league and you could see why.

“They are very dangerous when they attack and their long throw is so difficult to defend. But we had people throwing their bodies in front of the ball and you can’t buy that.

“We had a bit of luck with their lad hitting the post when he should have scored but everybody needs a bit of luck. Ash didn’t get much of it so perhaps I’ve used some of it up.

“I have no doubt he will be pleased for us though. I’m just pleased Saturday went as well as it did and that what has been a difficult week, and upsetting in lots of ways, has ended on a high.”

Reflecting on individual performances, Simkin added: “Alan Walker-Harris played out of his skin and kept us in the game, I was pleased for Mossy with his goals and as for Ben, I’m just glad we’ve got him on contract. Having said that, I was proud of all the lads.”

Caretaker duo Simkin and Mark Jermyn made just a single change from Tuesday night’s capitulation at Havant & Waterlooville.

The latter made his first appearance since September 10 – coincidentally Dorchester’s last win on home soil – regaining the captain’s armband and partnering Nathan Walker at the back.

Gary Bowles made way for Jermyn with Simkin deeming that the AFC Bournemouth defender’s head “may not have been right” after the Cherries’ attempts to recall him were foiled by the FA.

Simkin meanwhile, was joined in the dugout by ex-Weymouth caretaker-boss Gary Borthwick and said: “Gary and I have been friends for so many years and I appreciate him helping out at short notice and I hope we can keep him involved.”

The Magpies made a positive start as they begun life without Vickers, creating a glorious opening inside three minutes.

Jamie Gleeson’s cross was beautifully controlled by Moss, only for the home forward to clear the crossbar from just eight yards out. However, his blushes were spared somewhat by a raised flag from the referee’s assistant.

It was Tonbridge’s turn to attack and Kayne McLaggon had a 20-yard effort parried by Alan Walker-Harris before Anthony Storey fired just over the top following a well-rehearsed corner.

But it was the hosts who grabbed the opening goal. Having scored a fine individual effort against the Hawks last Tuesday, Dickenson repeated the trick on Saturday.

The 18-year-old gained possession just inside the opposing half and burst forward before letting fly with an unstoppable drive from almost 35 yards.

Dickenson was proving a real handful in the early exchanges and after Adam Mekki went close to extending the advantage, the former’s 12th-minute corner produced a second goal for the Magpies.

Visiting midfielder Storey seemed to duck under Dickenson’s near-post delivery and Moss was left to nod past a helpless Lee Worgan in the Tonbridge goal.

The Angels continued to plug away and twice they came within a whisker of reducing the deficit.

First, an instinctive flick-on from McLaggon came back off the woodwork before a glancing header from Frannie Collin clipped the top of the bar.

The visitors persevered and eventually got their reward in the 26th minute, courtesy of some route one football.

Worgan’s punt was nodded on by Mikel Suarez and then flicked into the path of McLaggon by Collin.

The Bristol Rovers loanee was now one-on-one with Walker-Harris and made no mistake, firing high into the Magpies’ net.

Fearing a repeat of their previous outing, which saw Havant fight back from two goals down to win 4-2, Dorchester appeared tentative.

And it was thanks to two fine saves from Walker-Harris, both preventing Collin, that they maintained their lead going into the interval.

The half-time break came at precisely the right time for the hosts and after recharging their batteries, they could easily have regained their two-goal advantage.

However, with three team-mates to choose from, Moss’ cross could only find the hands of Worgan.

Dickenson then did well to charge down Worgan’s attempted clearance, but luckily for the visitors, captain Ben Judge was on hand to snuff out the danger.

Michael Boateng spurned a decent opening at the other end but in truth, the Magpies were doing a much better job of keeping their opponents in check.

But they breathed a huge sigh of relief 14 minutes from time as the Angels wasted their best chance of the afternoon.

A scuffed shot from substitute Ade Olorunda looked to have become the perfect assist as Lee Browning found himself unmarked at the far post. However, much to everyone’s disbelief, the midfield man could only hit the upright when it seemed easier to score.

Browning sought redemption and sent a fierce volley towards goal in the 83rd minute, only for Walker-Harris to produce an excellent stop in return.

Tonbridge gambled in the dying minutes but as they pressed, Dorchester broke with purpose and made the game safe.

Dickenson led the charge and after leaving Danny Walder in a heap, the rising star went for goal.

His right-foot shot was repelled by the crossbar but fortunately the loose ball fell kindly for Moss and he gratefully lashed home to secure victory.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Critchell, Smeeton, Jermyn, N Walker, Gleeson, Crittenden, Nicholls (Devlin 62), Moss, Dickenson, Mekki (Martin 65). Subs not used: Flood, Dovell, Tallack.

Angels: Worgan, Walder, Heath, Browning, Judge, Miles (Andrews 85), Boateng (Beecroft 75), Storey, Suarez (A Olorunda 66), Collin, McLaggon. Subs not used: Henry, T Olorunda.

* Dorchester Town will be hosting a Hallowe’en Fun Night at the Avenue Stadium this evening (6.30pm).

Contact Dave Read on 266393 or Kate Taylor on 01305 262556 for more details.