SATURDAY 03 NOVEMBER 2007

Blue Square South

What appeared to be a first half stroll to victory had its nervous moments for County and for this a young Dorchester side deserves credit.  But while the home fans went home with mixed feelings, the outcome consolidated County’s hold on third place and closed the gap on leaders Eastbourne to just four points.

Some aspects of County’s performance were very good, while others, notably their conceding and defending of set-pieces within 30 yards of goal, were naïve to say the least.  Other than their two goals from free-kicks though, Dorchester mounted little goal threat, but relief was the main emotion felt by home fans when referee Will Bull ended the second half after 10 minutes of added time.  That extension was largely made necessary following a clash of heads between County skipper Steve Jenkins and Magpies’ midfielder Jamie Gleeson in the 89th minute.  It was an outstanding piece of defending by the County right-back who showed bravery beyond the call of duty as he stopped Gleeson directing his header on goal, and after a long delay Jenkins returned to the fray with his head bandaged.

Credit is also due to County for their foresight in their arrangement with St John’s which ensures there is a fully equipped ambulance with paramedics on duty at each home game.  The vehicle was driven to the pitch surrounds within seconds of the incident to ensure that Gleeson was able to receive urgent medical attention for the concussion he suffered, and the Dorchester player was then taken to hospital for a precautionary check which we hope reveals no serious damage.

Dorchester have opted to put the majority of their squad on full-time terms this season, and the decision has yet to pay dividends with rookie director of football Shaun Brooks having lost several of the experienced squad that had enabled the Magpies to hold their own at this level in recent years.  The replacements are predominantly young and inexperienced, and their season is already looking like developing into a grim struggle to avoid relegation.

County threatened to sweep them out of sight in the first half with some fluent football and sharp finishing from the strike duo of Craig Hughes and Charlie Griffin.  HUGHES struck with his third goal in four games when he received the ball from Nathan Davies 20 yards out and turned and fired past the lazy looking dive of Darren Behcet in the Dorchester goal.   County continued to control the game and a Davies drive from 20 yards was looking goalbound when it was deflected over his own crossbar by Magpies skipper Alex Browne.

But Lee Fowler conceded an unnecessary free-kick 30 yards out and with a near replica of the routine used by Bath City to good effect 10 days earlier, Gleeson and Wes Fogdon worked the ball to the right where CHARLIE HENRY was able to hit a shot which eluded Glyn Thompson and found its way to the top corner of the net.  Fowler soon atoned for his error by delivering a delightful 31st  minute cross from the right though Behcet once again seemed to be dozing when CHARLIE GRIFFIN flicked it between him and his left hand post.

Two minutes later another piece of imagination from Fowler set up a goal when the midfield man played a quick free-kick into the path of the unmarked Richard Evans on the left and the in-form winger squared it for GRIFFIN to make it 3-1.  Evans then became the first man to incur the wrath of Mr Bull and picked up a caution, with Jason Bowen and Dorchester’s Nathan Simpson following him into the notebook in first half stoppage time.

Fowler again conceded a needless free-kick in the 51st minute though when GLEESON placed it near the right touchline, there appeared no great danger.  Just how it found its way into the far corner of the net is a question that needs investigation, but if you struggle to defend set-pieces it makes sense to avoid conceding them! 

Three minutes later a great link-up between County’s scorers created another good chance but this time Behcet rushed off his line to deny Griffin a hat-trick.  Damon Searle and Jones Awuah were both added to Bull’s card count before a brighter spell from the home side that should have seen the points wrapped up.  The lively Hughes headed over from a Bowen free-kick, fired just past the post and was denied by a good block from Behcet but Dorchester were giving everything as the contest threatened to boil over.

First half miscreants Bowen and Simpson again misbehaved, leaving Mr Bull with no option but to show red to both with four minutes remaining on the clock.  The home fans had to wait awhile though before they could relax following the unfortunate collision between Jenkins and Gleeson, and there was almost a magic moment for late County substitute Ashleigh Evans who was making his home debut.  The Hartridge Academy product was denied a goal with the save of the day from Behcet before the referee called time on the contest.

Man of the Match:

County: Charlie Griffin - matchwinner.

Magpies: Charlie Henry - loves Spytty Park (scored two for Cambridge here last April).

Special Mention: Steve Jenkins - an inspiring captain.

© Colin Jeremiah