Magpies “disappointed” after late 1-0 loss to ten man Weston-super-Mare

Speaking to Echosport after the game Wood said: “We should have come away with a point, I think.

“As we know in this league every point is vital. (When) you go away from home against a very good Weston-super-Mare side, and you come away with a point that’s a point well gained.

“So, coming away with nothing it sort of leaves a bit of a sour taste to be honest because we were quite within our rights, I think to demand of the players that we should have got something out of that game.”

The defeat was the Magpies third in as many away league games and brings an end to a difficult set of fixtures for the club.

Dorchester boss, Glenn Howes, made four changes from the starting eleven that began the midweek defeat to Truro City.

Into the team came Alfie Stanley, Billy Stedman, Charlie Madden and Thiago Caze Da Silva.

Whilst Callum Buckley, Tom Soares, Billy Lowes and Kieran Roberts all made way.

Before Saturday’s game Buckley had been recalled from the Magpies by his parent club Hayes and Yeading United.

In the second minute the Magpies had the first attempt on target of the game.

Stanley’s shot from the edge of the 18-yard-box forced home keeper, Max Harris, to parry to the feet of Sam Bayston who couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Dorchester keeper, Gerard Benfield, nearly gifted a goal to Weston in the tenth minute of the game.

His attempted clearance only reached the feet of Weston’s No.11, Jordan Bastin, who then crossed for his team-mate Lloyd Humphries, but his side-footed shot could only clear the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards it was the energetic Stanley who took on another shot from distance for the visitors. This time though he could only curl over the bar after Harris had cleared straight to his feet.

In the 34th minute, Bayston was forced to withdraw himself, for Tom Soares, after suffering a knock to his ankle earlier in the half.

As the first half drew to a close Weston found themselves reduced to ten men.

In the 43rd minute the Seagulls’, Nick McCootie, was shown a yellow card for catching the heels of Madden.

Then three minutes into added time the same player was inexplicably booked for a second time and sent off.

Referee, Tim Burley, deeming McCootie had led with his elbow as he jumped to head the ball with Tom Purrington.

Half-time arrived shortly afterwards and the Magpies were left facing the prospect of playing against ten-men for the entire second period.

Dorchester though had to wait nearly twenty minutes into the second half before creating their next opportunity of the game.

However, after being found by Stedman in midfield, Charlie Gunson could only drive over the bar from 18 yards out.

As the game wore on Dorchester threw on forwards, Roberts and Flavio Tavares for Stedman and Stanley respectively.

In the end though it would be Weston who made the breakthrough from a set-piece.

Seven minutes from full-time Dayle Grubb hit a corner to the Magpies near post where former Preston North End defender, Scott Laird, was able to glance past Benfield.

From here Weston were able to see the rest of the game out without any real trouble, claiming back-to-back league wins over the Magpies this season.

In fact, since being relegated in 2019, Weston have yet to lose to Dorchester in league action.

Weston: Harris, Thomas, Laird, Thomas, Avery, Pope, McCootie, Humphries (Dodd 86), Jackson, Grubb, Bastin. Subs not used: Moulden, Murray, Henry, Williams.

Magpies: Benfield, Hanger, Sa, Madden, Davidson, Caze Da Silva, Purrington, Gunson, Stanley (Tavares 78), Stedman (Roberts 64), Bayston (Soares 34). Subs not used: Papakonstantinou, Wells.