KITE HAS MAGPIES FLYING TO VICTORY
Wintney rue pen slip-up
DORCHESTER Town pinched their first win on the new 3G pitch at the Clayson Stadium with a narrow victory over Hartley Wintney.
Hartley opened the scoring after just two minutes when a long throw from Steven Noakes skimmed off the head of defender Callum Rose to Claudio Herbert who headed firmly past keeper Kingsley Latham.
The Magpies’ gloveman then saved with his legs to keep out an effort from visiting skipper Nic Ciardini.
The Row could have doubled their lead from a 19th minute penalty awarded for a push by Kyle Egan on Michael Campbell, the same man seeing his effort stopped by Latham.
That reprieve opened the door for a revival and saw Billy Lowes tee up Harry Kite for a 27th-minute, 25yard equaliser.
Then Dom Panesar-Dower gave an inch perfect through ball for Ashley Pope to fire the Magpies in front just before half time.
Neither side were able to unlock their opponents’ defences after the break although Rose cleared in front of goal denied Jack French and substitute Liam Eagle sent an injury timeheader over from six yards as Wintney applied pressure.
“We certainly needed a win. We did it the hard way coming from behind. We played some good football, that team gave their lot,” said Dorchester manager Steve Thompson.
“The oldest player was 25 and most were 19-21. It’s a tough league for a young team and I’m very pleased with the effort they put in.
“I thought we edged it. Kingsley pulled off a good penalty save. I thought we rode our luck but came back strongly before tiring in the last 15 minutes.
“If they had scored the penalty it would have been a very hard match to win.
“It wasn’t an outstanding performance but on the balance of play no one can deny we didn’t deserve the point if not a win.”
Hartley Wintney’s joint manager, Anthony Millerick, was left frustrated by the effect of his side’s early goal. “We didn’t do anything that we talked about prior, once the goal was scored,” he said.
“We had a couple of early chances to close the game off. It was a performance that I was massively disappointed with. Even if we had scored a late equaliser it would not have masked an unintelligent performance.”
Dorchester’s win saw them climb four places to 14th in the table while Hartley Wintney remain seventh. STAR MAN: Callum Rose (Dorchester) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★