Last-gasp Kyle earns a treble for Magpies (From Dorset Echo)

Last-gasp Kyle earns a treble for Magpies

8:27am Monday 14th November 2011 in Match Reports By Adam Summers

Dorchester TOWN 1

Critchell 90

HAMPTON & RICHMOND 0

KYLE Critchell bundled in a late winner as the Magpies chalked up a third successive home victory in Blue Square Bet South.

Lowly Hampton & Richmond frustrated the hosts for long periods and looked set to claim a point until the Dorchester right-back forced the ball home following an error from visiting keeper Craig Ross.

The only change to Town’s squad saw Lewis Tallack replace Gary Bowles on the bench as caretaker- boss Phil Simkin chose to stick with the same starting line-up that began the goalless draw at Chelmsford City last Monday.

Meanwhile, Oxford United loanee Joel Ledgister once again lined up for Hampton. The talented forward netted twice on his debut the previous Saturday in an impressive 3-1 win over Eastbourne Borough.

Determined to make an early impression, the visitors got in Town’s faces from the outset in a bid to starve them of time and space but the hosts more than held their own.

Ben Dickenson gave Ross some catching practice with a seventh-minute free-kick before his strike partner Ryan Moss fired wide following a good break down the right.

Despite Hampton’s endeavour, Dorchester continued to look the slightly better side but on 32 minutes they were forced to replace Moss with Rico Wilson after the in-form forward had suffered a blow to the side while heading the ball away from a corner.

The game continued to amble towards the interval with very little incident until Dickenson missed a great chance to break the deadlock.

Wilson put Nick Crittenden down the right flank and when he sent over an inch-perfect cross into the box somehow the ex-Christchurch forward headed wide from 10 yards completely unopposed.

It was a poor miss and it was nearly punished at the other end moments later when Dave Tarpey jinked past a couple of defenders on the right, only to see his effort blocked by the onrushing Alan Walker-Harris.

After the break, Hampton continued to grow in confidence and on 47 minutes they tested the Town stopper again through Ledgister, whose shot lacked the necessary power to find the far corner.

Wilson then headed over from Neil Martin’s fine cross moments later before Dickenson sent a 20-yard curler just past the left upright as the Magpies soon responded.

The game was beginning to open up and on 52 minutes some clever ball juggling in the box by the impressive Crittenden saw him provide the first serious test for Ross, who did well to block the winger’s volley with his legs.

The Magpies were beginning to gain some momentum but they continued to miss chances with Nathan Walker heading over from a corner and Jamie Gleeson firing wide from the edge of the box after a fine lay off from Dickenson.

Crittenden then stung the palms of Ross with a free-kick before blazing another effort just over as that all-important opening goal continued to elude Simkin’s men.

A couple of breaks in play then upset Town’s rhythm as the game moved into its final stages with Tarpey seeing a 30-yard free-kick pushed away by Walker-Harris as Hampton began to show more of an attacking threat of their own.

Ledgister sent another chance straight into the arms of the home keeper before Martin’s weak shot at the other end was comfortably dealt with by Ross.

Walker-Harris then allowed a strike from Tarpey to slip through his gloves but just recovered in time to push the ball away and win a foul in the process.

Although Martin struck another effort wide on 86 minutes the game looked like it would remain a stalemate until the third minute of added-time.

Dickenson sent over a free-kick into the box and when Ross failed to come through a host of bodies in a bid to punch the ball clear, Critchell arrived at the far post to force the ball over the line.

The goal was a little bit harsh on Hampton but the Magpies were certainly not complaining at the final whistle as their renaissance under Simkin continues to gather pace.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Critchell, Smeeton, Jermyn, Walker, Gleeson, Crittenden, Nicholls, Moss (Wilson 32), Dickenson, Martin. Subs not used: Tallack, Symes, Devlin, Dovell.

Hampton: Ross, Ferrell, O’Donnell, Jeffreys, Ruby, Andrews (Johnson 80), Morgan (Thompson 80), Huggins, Ledgister (Moone 90), Simmonds, Tarpey. Subs not used: Sousa-Mota, Hickey.