EASTLEIGH RES 1

Dorchester TOWN RES 1

ROBBIE Taylor expressed his pride after seeing Dorchester Town Reserves stretch their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.

Lloyd Beals put the youthful Magpies in front at fellow high-fliers Eastleigh, but the more experienced hosts eventually forced a second-half equaliser to ensure they remain ahead of their third-placed opponents.

County town boss Taylor said: “We were basically an under-18 side as the oldest player was my son Adam and he’s only 19.

“Eastleigh had some experience in their side and I reckon they had four or five players in first-team contention.

“It was a cracking game and I was so proud of the lads, and they should be proud of themselves.

“They were magnificent right through the team and it would be unfair to pick out any individuals because it was a real team effort.

“It was a bit of a turnaround for us as where we have been dominating games of late, Eastleigh probably dominated the game a bit more and will feel their finishing was poor.

“But we showed great maturity in our defending and we kept our concentration for the whole 90 minutes, which we needed to do.

“They hit the post a few times but we had chances of our own and we could have been 3-0 up at half-time.”

The Magpies remain a point adrift of the second-placed Spitfires but do hold a game in hand.

However, their next Wyvern Premier League assignment is not until April 21 – away to mid-table AFC Totton.

Meanwhile, administrator Stuart Griffiths has paid tribute to the team’s sponsors.

He said: “The season has been hard and we have borrowed, loaned and begged to see it through.

“A big thank you goes to all those that have made it possible. They include Woodmace Civil Engineering, Keyline, Dorset Build And Pave, Rockstone Surfacing, Tech-nical Concrete Cutting, Hills Group, U-Drive and Dorset Vehicle Rentals.”

Magpies: Floyd, Butcher, Kimber, Brooks, Beals, Way, Gape, M Buckler (Andrews 65), Tennant, Twyford (Goodland 75), A Taylor. Subs not used: R Taylor, Griffiths.