HARTLEY WINTNEY 1

Edwards 38

DORCHESTER TOWN 0

JORDAN Edwards' deflected free-kick sent Dorchester Town to a 1-0 loss at Hartley Wintney – the Magpies' 12th away league defeat of the season.

Edwards' shot flicked off the head of a jumping Oakley Hanger behind the wall before sailing above Jack Bycroft's glove and in.

Another instance of bad luck for Dorchester is the latest in a catalogue of games where the Magpies have not received the rub of the green this season.

Defeat allowed 20th-placed Kings Langley to close to within two points of Dorchester after their 1-0 win at Harrow.

READ MORE: Hartley Wintney 1-0 Dorchester Town - how it happened

Hartley Wintney are now six points above the Magpies, who retain 19th spot – the final safe position in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South table.

Prior to kick-off, Dorchester boss Glenn Howes named debutants Harvey-Joe Bertrand and new signing Harry McGrath in his starting line-up.

They were the two changes to the side that began the 1-1 draw with Tiverton last time out, coming in at the expense of the suspended Tom Purrington and Yemi Odubade, who dropped to the bench.

Under-23s stars Josh Baxter and Connor Callow joined the experience of Ash Wells and Odubade in the dugout as Dorchester named just four players on the bench due to injuries.

Looking for their third away victory of the campaign, Dorchester conceded the first big chance of the game when Shane Hollamby blasted over from Michael Campbell's pass.

Moments later Alfie Stanley's cross beat Row keeper Luke Williams only to clatter the post as Dorchester came close to breaking the deadlock.

Stanley troubled Williams again with a low shot from 20 yards before a contentious moment in the game.

Josh Webb was booked for what might have been deemed a high tackle on Sam Bayston, with Dorchester calling for a red card – particularly given Purrington's dismissal last week for what the Magpies feel was a less dangerous challenge.

Bayston was denied when through one-on-one by a brilliant block from Williams as Dorchester continued to probe away. 

But the winning blow was struck when Lucias Vine won the free-kick from which Edwards scored seven minutes before the break.

The second half was a scrappier affair with Hartley playing their home conditions well.
Dorchester were limited to a chance for Callum Buckley which fizzed over the bar but Hartley nearly made it 2-0 on two occasions.

Sub Kofi Halliday had only been on the pitch for two minutes before he slid a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Seconds later he fired over Bycroft's bar following a lovely piece of control by Vine.
Dorchester had to feed off morsels in the second half as the visitors struggled to be ruthless in the final third.

The Magpies were forced to chase an equaliser and were almost picked off on the break in the 93rd minute when Edwards saw his attempt deflected behind for a corner.

The Row were then able to expertly wind the clock down near the corner flag to ensure Dorchester's winless league run continued to 10 games.

Hartley Wintney: Williams, Case, Wiley, Nevile, Hollamby (Robinson 69), Bayley, Webb, Edwards, Campbell (Halliday 79), Vine (Placid 87), Cooksley. Subs not used: Rumble, A Allen.

Magpies: Bycroft, Hanger, Calverley (Wells 63), Soares (Callow 82), Buckley, Bertrand, McGrath, Bayston, Koszela, Stanley (Odubade 63), Lowes. Sub not used: Baxter.

Referee: George Warren

Attendance: 254