Two Counties Cup

WIMBORNE TOWN 2 Dorchester TOWN 0 ON-LOAN Pompey goalkeeper Craig Bradshaw couldn't prevent Dorchester losing their unbeaten record in the Two Counties Cup to the Sydenham Wessex League leaders at Cuthbury last night.

The well-built 20-year-old accepted Mark Morris' invitation to have a run out behind what was largely a Magpies second string as he searches for a cover goalkeeper for off-form first teamer Mark Ormerod.

But the Magpies boss, who watched from the terrace with reserve team boss Phil Simkin taking charge of the team, had little on which to base a decision whether to sign the Woking-based stopper or not after he had precious few opportunities to demonstrate his ability despite being beaten once in each half.

A wind-spoiled game on an exposed pitch produced little goalmouth incident and very few efforts on target, though a Wimborne side who managed to retain possession better than their opponents just about deserved the win that put them at the top of the five-club table.

The Magpies had the benefit of the gale at their backs in the first half. But for the most part they failed to harness its potential, only a dangerous inswinging corner from Stuart Cooper testing ex-Magpies goalkeeper Stuart Kearns before Wimborne's first shot in the 15th minute brought a goal.

A diving Bradshaw did well to reach a stinging drive from Ryan Lucas and in normal conditions his looping deflection would normally have put the ball over the top. But the wind kept it in play and as it dropped out of the sky, Andy Harris tangled with Guy Dipper on the line. In the melee the ball seemed to strike Dipper and bounce over the line.

Kearns went full length to fingertip away a belting drive from Aaron Turner who was unlucky not to open his account in his second spell with the Magpies right on half-time.

A through ball from Harris put him one-on-one with Kearns and his lob beat the stranded keeper only to bounce down off the crossbar.

Wimborne adapted better to the following wind after the break with the Magpies scarcely managing a decent move to threaten Kearn's goal. Gareth Barnes shot over for the home side when well placed and former Dorchester midfielder Marcus Oldbury also miscued wide before Wimborne got their second.

A left wing corner on the hour drifted across the area towards the far post and Lucas brushed past several defenders before driving the ball past Bradshaw.

There was more misery for the Magpies in the last minute when midfielder Martin Edwards was stretchered off and taken to Poole Hospital with a suspected broken leg after being caught in a tackle.

"The conditions were terrible which made for an untidy game but I was reasonably pleased with our performance," said Simkin. "They were physically stronger than us in one or two positions but considering they are at the top of the Wessex league I didn't think we did too badly."

Dorchester: Bradshaw, Poore (Brannigan 45mins), Wilson, Llewellyn, Harris, Critchell (Symes 80mins), Legg, Edwards, Turner, Byerley (Blackmore 61mins), Cooper. Subs not used McDonald, Williams.

HOW THEY STAND

TWO COUNTIES CUP

P W D L F A Pts

Wimborne 3 2 1 0 6 2 7

Portland Utd 3 2 1 0 6 3 7

Dorchester T 3 2 0 1 6 5 6

Weymouth 3 1 0 2 10 5 3

Bridport 4 0 0 4 3 15 0