HORNDEAN 1

Jackson 59

DORCHESTER TOWN 0

DORCHESTER Town suffered their first loss of the 2019/2020 pre-season in a chance-laden 1-0 loss to Horndean at Five Heads Park.

Horndean, who finished second in the ninth-tier Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division last campaign, more than matched opponents ranked two divisions above them and saw Harry Jackson fire home in the 59th minute.

Dorchester, who looked below par after a convincing 5-0 defeat of Bridgwater Town on Tuesday, did have a late one-on-one chance but wasted the opportunity – just one of a mountain of chances missed by both sides.

The Magpies started in the ascendancy as Callum Rose headed wide before Charlie Davis fired off target inside five minutes.

Thereafter, Horndean took control, passing up four chances in 12 minutes with Jackson culpable for two.

Dorchester responded immediately as Dom Panesar-Dower played in Sean Wright, only for the ex-Hamworthy midfielder to drive over.

A Horndean trialist headed over before Jackson slotted wide of goal – his wastefulness catching on as Dorchester’s Luke Winsper whizzed an effort past the bar.

Alfie Lis and Jackson passed up further opportunities on a wretched afternoon of finishing before the latter finally worked Magpies’ gloveman Shane Murphy who saved with his feet on 39 minutes.

Dorchester finished the half strongly as Billy Lowes fizzed an effort over seconds before the break.

Horndean’s Miles Everett and a Dorchester trialist traded missed chances at the start of the second before a goalmouth scramble presented Jackson with an unmissable opportunity, lashing past Murphy for 1-0.

Davis and sub Tom Bath showed urgency in search of an equaliser but twice more failed to seriously threaten the home goal.

Sam Hookey’s free-kick forced Murphy into a good save late on but Dorchester were left to rue a wasted clean through chance in the 88th minute.

Consequently, Horndean deservedly collected a confidence-boosting victory over their BetVictor Southern Premier South adversaries.

Callum Brooks’ men next entertain Yeovil Town at the Clayson Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Magpies: Murphy, Egan, Brookes, Wright (Trialist 76), Winsper, Panesar-Dower, Lowes (Bath 54), Smith (Trialist 76), Davis, Trialist (Trialist 76), Rose (Trialist 76).

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