DORCHESTER Town assistant boss James Wood admitted the Magpies were not at their best despite beating Hartley Wintney 4-2 at the Avenue Stadium.

Dorchester completed two hat-tricks with the victory – a third successive Pitching In Southern League Premier South win and a third on the bounce at home.

Olaf Koszela kicked things off in the second minute before Harry Cooksley’s penalty levelled the score at half-time.

However, Dorchester, who had struggled after conceding, regained the initiative in the second half before taking the game away from Hartley as Koszela added a second and sub Shaq Gwengwe scored a clinical brace.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 4-2 Hartley Wintney - match report

Cooksley notched his own double late on but Dorchester were by then out of sight and climbed into fourth place, just one point off top spot, with the three points.

Speaking to Dorchester’s media team, Wood said: “It had almost a weird feel to it. At times we looked a real threat going forward.

“Probably not one of our best performances first half. I thought we dominated the first ten minutes and realistically could’ve added to our one-goal lead.

“Then, fair play to them, they got a foothold and started to dictate play 20 minutes in and put us under pressure. 

“They scored through the penalty and we were probably a little bit disappointed. We weren’t happy with a few of the movements, organisation and our shape.

“Glenn (Howes, manager) discussed that at half-time and came out more on the front foot, which I think was better. We constantly looked a threat going forward.

“But Hartley are a good side, they’re very good at what they do. They have an attacking threat, the front three, and put us under pressure.

“I think we probably could’ve seen it out more comfortably but getting that fourth goal with Shaq made a huge difference – it’s three points at home.”

On Koszela’s performance, Wood added: “I thought he was superb, he was a constant threat.

“We know his work rate is second to none. If you look at his two goals, from our point of view you also look at what he adds to the team.

“He’s closing down full-backs, he’s tracking midfield runners – the lad works exceptionally hard, which is what we want from our players.”

Wood also revealed Gwengwe’s work ethic at training paid off in the match.

“Fantastic finishes,” Wood said. “What you don’t see behind the scenes, we see it, is Shaq staying behind after training with 50 balls practising that exact same finish.

“That’s what these young boys have to do. It’s what they put in – they reap the rewards for it.

“I thought he came on and looked really lively. That’s what we’re trying to instil.”

Dorchester travel to Yate tomorrow (3pm).