CHESHAM UNITED 0

DORCHESTER TOWN 0

DORCHESTER Town were held to their second 0-0 draw of the season as Ben Seymour’s saved penalty earned Chesham United a point from their Evo-Stik Southern Premier South contest at the Meadow.

Chesham were looking to do the double on the Magpies after a handsome 5-0 win over their 10 men in November, but rarely threatened the visitors’ goal.

Seymour saw his spot-kick saved by keeper Ben Goode, while Antonio Diaz went close three times as a largely dominant Dorchester had to take a point.

The clean sheet was the fourth in the league this season and eighth in all competitions for a Dorchester side that made three changes to the line-up that began Tuesday’s 6-0 thumping against Farnborough.

As expected following their midweek FA Youth Cup exploits, teenage trio Seymour, Harry Kite and Brennan Camp came into the side in favour of Tom Blair, Richard Gillespie and Ross Carmichael.

Blair and Gillespie were both completely absent from the matchday squad, while Carmichael dropped to the bench.

The centre-back was joined in the dugout by Nick Hutchings, Aaron Rodriguez and Ben Morris.

Dorchester, whose last win against the Generals came courtesy of a 3-2 victory in November 2016, made an assured start as the Magpies targeted their first win over Chesham in three attempts.

Steve Thompson’s men controlled much of the early play without creating a chance, but were able to keep Chesham at bay.

It took until the 19th minute for the first serious effort at goal as right-back Kyle Egan hared onto a precise ball, jinking inside his covering defender and shooting goalwards only to see his attempt blocked by retreating Chesham defenders.

Midway through the half, Dorchester caused havoc in the hosts’ box as a corner was only partially cleared, leading to a catalogue of errors across the Chesham defence yet Dorchester were unable to force the ball home from the goalmouth scramble.

Chesham’s attack had been meek until the 31st minute when the Generals broke through the Dorchester rearguard and aimed a weak shot at goal that was easily cleared.

A sign of the home side’s frustration emanated from defender Adam Martin, who was booked by referee Thomas Cooke for dissent shortly afterwards.

Dorchester continued pressing forward and were unlucky not to fashion another chance when Luke Winsper nearly connected with a teasing cross, keeper Goode collecting.

But Goode was at fault just two minutes before half-time when he brought down Seymour for a penalty after the Exeter loanee latched onto a pass and rounded the Generals’ gloveman.

Seymour would have to wait to add to his tally of 13 Magpies’ goals when Goode duly saved his spot-kick seconds before half-time.

With the second half bizarrely delayed by 10 minutes after an injury to a linesman, Dorchester managed to maintain their momentum with a chance for Diaz, who pivoted and shot wide.

Alert at a throw-in, Sam Jackson pinched possession and supplied Diaz again but the Spaniard could only aim his effort inches wide of the target.

Chesham, who had been quiet in an attacking sense, then worked keeper Kingsley Latham with their first serious effort at goal, the Dorchester stopper showing his agility to keep the hosts out.

For the first time, Chesham showed signs of clawing back the ascendancy as Latham was beaten to a ball over the top, only for the Generals’ lobbed effort to land off target.

Moments later, Dorchester won a free-kick and Diaz stepped up to send his third wayward effort at goal of the half.

Each side made substitutions in the finals 20 minutes, Chesham making all three and Diaz being hauled off for Aaron Rodriguez as the respective teams sensed a chance for a precious three points.

Egan was on hand at the death to make a crucial tackle as Chesham chased a winner but the Magpies were made to settle for a stalemate against a side now unbeaten in four games against them.

Seymour’s penalty miss proved decisive as Dorchester remained in 17th, one place and a point ahead of Chesham having played one game more, thanks to Wimborne’s 4-2 win at Staines Town.

The Magpies next host Poole on Saturday (3pm), whose clash with Walton Casuals was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Chesham: Goode, Hammond, Warner-Eley, Martin, Murphy, Brown, Adcock (Mfinda 70), Heneghan (Casey 84), Louis, Blake, Pearce (Clayton 70). Subs not used: Sota, Murray

Magpies: Latham, Egan, Martin, Rose, Camp, Kite, Winsper, Lowes, Seymour, Diaz (Rodriguez 77), Jackson. Subs not used: Hutchings, Carmichael, Morris

Referee: Thomas Cooke

Attendance: 290

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