KINGS LANGLEY 1
Wadkins 33
DORCHESTER TOWN 2
Stanley 48, McGrath 51
DORCHESTER Town came from behind to earn an enormous three points, beating Kings Langley 2-1 in their relegation six-pointer.
Victory lifts the Magpies out of the Pitching In Southern League Premier South relegation zone, although their route to the three points was far from easy.
Lango went ahead in the 33rd minute when Bradley Wadkins finished a one-on-one chance.
READ MORE: Kings Langley 1-2 Dorchester Town - how it happened
Dorchester only managed one shot on target in the first half but were a team reborn in the second, completely turning the game through Alfie Stanley and Harry McGrath goals.
The Magpies had chances to extend their lead but were able to see the game out without alarm for a huge win.
Dorchester Town manager Glenn Howes made four changes to the side that began the 3-1 loss to Merthyr Town last time out.
Charlie Gunson and Yemi Odubade dropped to the bench, while Michael Green and Tom Soares did not make the squad.
In place of the quartet came George Calverley and Harvey-Joe Bertrand, while Ash Wells returned from concussion and Tom Purrington was included after serving a three-game ban.
On the bench, there were five changes as Calverley and Bertrand were promoted into the starting XI.
Jack Wadham missed out, along with under-23 stars Ash Guppy and Josh Baxter.
Joining Gunson and Odubade in the dugout was new signing Louie Slough – joining for a second spell from Torquay – plus Ben Symes and Josh Bertie, the latter returning after two months out with injury.
Dorchester had beaten Lango 2-0 in the reverse fixture and the magnitude of this game was apparent early on as the Magpies made a strong start.
Their first chance came after just 45 seconds when Olaf Koszela flicked a lay-off to Billy Lowes, his drilled shot spearing just beyond Stanley who flung himself at the ball six yards out.
Lango responded when Harry Crawford powered a shot at Jack Bycroft following good work from Eremide Lawal and Jamie Jellis.
Both teams settled afterwards with chances at a premium, although Stanley did see a 20-yard shot blocked inadvertently by teammate McGrath on the break.
Crawford aimed a speculative dipping shot on the turn at Bycroft as Langley came forward in reply, and just 60 seconds later the hosts were ahead.
Alfie Williams’ long ball unhinged the Dorchester defence with Wadkins sent into oceans of space, affording the striker time to slot low past the Southampton loanee for 1-0.
New signing Ryan Case then forced Bycroft to tip clear a cross from underneath his bar as the hosts threatened a second, but back came Dorchester when Koszela curled at Lango keeper Alfie Marriott from just outside the box.
Dorchester then failed to capitalise on two corners before half-time, the delivery not passing the first man on both occasions.
However, there were no issues with Dorchester’s play at the start of the second half, as the Magpies scored twice in three minutes to transform the game.
McGrath’s wonderful ball through for Stanley set up the first, the striker sprinting through on goal before hesitating to shoot.
He drew Marriott out as he checked back into space before drilling home low into the corner.
And Dorchester were ahead on 51 minutes in a sensational turnaround, Koszela’s blocked shot falling perfectly for McGrath to stroke home his first Dorchester goal.
Dorchester were now firmly on top against a shellshocked Lango, Calverley winning a corner with a darting run and Koszela firing at Marriott from 12 yards.
McGrath nearly had a chance for 3-1 from Koszela’s through ball but the bouncing pass would not fall for the forward.
Howes then withdrew McGrath, who enjoyed a superb second half, for the experience of Odubade with 15 minutes to play.
Dorchester won a corner and a nice routine picked out Tom Purrington who saw the ball stick at his feet and the chance disappearing with it.
Lango were growing increasingly tetchy as their play unravelled, Crawford also booked for needless dissent.
Their self-destruction played into Dorchester’s hands, Koszela running through on goal only to see a bobble deprive him of the chance to shoot.
As the clock wound down into an eventual seven added minutes, Dorchester were well marshalled by Wells and Buckley, who heaved clear at every opportunity.
When Lango did get the ball down, the visitors’ final ball was lacking as Alie Bangura’s cross sailed over everyone and Arel Amu then shanking over in the 95th minute.
Dorchester safely saw out the game to secure their third win on the road this season and crucially lift themselves out of the bottom three, to the sheer delight of a considerable away support.
Kings Langley: Marriott, Case, Lafleur, E Amu, Charles, Johnson, Jellis (Bangura 46), Williams, Wadkins (Toiny-Pendred 76), Crawford, Lawal (A Amu 67). Subs not used: Connolly, Goueth.
Magpies: Bycroft, Hanger, Calverley, Bertrand, Buckley, Wells, McGrath (Odubade 75), Purrington (Gunson 83), Stanley, Lowes, Koszela (Symes 89). Subs not used: Bertie, Slough.
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