DORCHESTER U23 3

QK SOUTHAMPTON 3

Magpies win 5-4 on pens

DORCHESTER Town Under-23s clinched a dramatic penalty shootout win over QK Southampton to reach the semi-finals of the John Stimpson Memorial Challenge Shield Trophy.

Brian Churchill’s Magpies had to equalise at 3-3 deep into the 90 minutes, before Ben Symes tucked away the winning spot-kick.

It continues a superb season for the under-23s, who are top of the Hampshire Combination & Development League Under-23 Division West and face an Under-23 League Cup final against Gosport.

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However, their unbeaten run in the calendar year was under severe threat against a side predominantly comprised of seniors following goals either side of half-time from Luca Prentice.

But the Magpies began their comeback with two goals in seven minutes as teenager Connor Callow buried a corner before Symes lashed home at the back post after good work from Ash Guppy.

However, just eight minutes after hauling themselves level, QK retook the lead when sub Jack Taylor beat home keeper Josh Franklin from outside the area.

It set up a lively final quarter of the game as Dorchester missed chances to make it 3-3.

That was until Josh Phillips, fresh from a hat-trick for Street on Saturday, fired into the bottom corner on 88 minutes.

His strike forced penalties and the clubs both scored their first two spot-kicks, Dorchester through Adam Heaton and George Calverley.

However, when QK hoisted their third effort over Franklin’s bar the Magpies were given an opportunity to close the game out.

Ash Guppy and Marcus Smith both netted, along with QK’s next two, as the visitors made it 4-4 with one kick remaining.

And the honour was given to Symes who drilled into the bottom-right corner for a victory that underlined Dorchester’s resilience this season.

Dorchester will now visit Sholing Under-23s in the semi-finals, the Boatmen currently top of the Division East and with only one loss this season.

Speaking to Echosport, Churchill said: “With the penalties I was fairly confident. The last 10 minutes of every training session we have a penalty shootout.

“So, I was quietly confident, although I must say I didn’t watch any of our penalties!

“This team doesn’t know when they’re beaten. It’s a squad game in the 23s – the whole 16 contributed. It’s brilliant from the youngsters.”

Churchill also touched on the emergence of Phillips this season.

“He’s being discussed at first-team level,” Churchill revealed.

“It’s difficult with him playing at Street and having that relegation battle. They really need him.

“I know Glenn (Howes, first-team manager), is keeping watchful eye on him and he’s hopefully one for next season that we can filter into the first team.

“He played the first half as a wing-back and I pushed him up to right-wing. He just blossomed.

“Wherever I play him, he puts in a decent performance and he could’ve had a hat-trick himself.”

Magpies: Franklin, Phillips, Calverley, Callow, Baxter, Fowles, Symes, M Smith, Heaton, Guppy, Herrington. Subs: Cutmore, Diaz, Parry, Radivojsa, J Steele.