The Dragons notched up their third successive 1-0 victory over Dorchester Town while extending their unbeaten run to four games against the 10-man Magpies on Saturday.
As in recent seasons, Dorchester brought a big, strong and physical side to the Camrose, proving a tough challenge for the home side.
The edge was taken off an otherwise perfect day after just 10 minutes with captain Ross Adams writhing on the ground after a coming together with the visitors’ Rico Wilson. Nothing more than an unfortunate collision saw the ’Stoke centre-back break his leg, which will see him side-lined for a couple of months.
Town settled down well after the loss of Adams, with Rob Rice slotting into the back four along with Nathan Smart, Toby little and Jay Gasson. The home side had received a boost pre-match that Wes Daly was passed fit to play, and once again ’Stoke were able to name a settled starting lineup.
A pre-match thunderstorm livened up the surface at the Camrose, but an otherwise dull first half sparked into life on 29 minutes when centre-back Gary Bowles was dismissed for the visitors for violent conduct after an off the ball incident with ’Stokes David Pratt. The ball had been hoofed out of the ground and Bowles reacted to something Pratt said with a head-butt.
Referee Ryan Atkin checked with his assistant, who had a clear view and produced the red card.
Town took control of the half as indiscipline threatened to break out in the visitors’ ranks, with Nick Crittenden picking up an unnecessary booking for throwing the ball away.
The Dragons thought they had taken the lead on 34 minutes when Tim Sills, who had an outstanding game, rose above everyone to power home a Wes Daly free kick, but the eagle-eyed referee’s assistant ruled offside.
However, Sills did not have to wait long for another chance, as on the stroke of half time he opened his seasons account with what was to be the decisive strike of the game. The goal was made by Pratt, who collected the ball in his own half, set off down the right and seemed to have lost the chance when he attempted to lay-off to Smart. But somehow he got around the Dorchester defender, picked the ball up again and centred for Sills to tap home.
The home side started the second half well and created several good chances and should have put the game out of sight of the Magpies. Just four minutes in, a fine cross by Smart found Pratt, courtesy of a head-down at the far post by Sills, but Pratt could not get the ball over Nick Jordan, on loan from Weymouth, in the Dorchester goal.
Town endured a nervy few minutes, but had Ashley Bayes to thank as he denied Ryan Moss a minute later. A cross from the right found Moss unmarked and Bayes managed to keep out his effort, while Little was on hand to clear the rebound.
Following a double substitution the visitors looked to press for an equaliser and Town had to endure a spell of pressure as the clock approached 90 minutes. However, gaps appeared at the other end and the Dragons wasted two clear scoring chances. The Magpies had a shout for a penalty as Ben Dickenson went down in the area in injury time following another long goal kick, but the referee was not interested and waved play on and Town scrambled away.
At the other end, substitute Rob Gradwell broke away and with just keeper Jordan to beat, he inexplicably pulled his shot wide. Dorchester broke away and a desperate scramble ensued in the ’Stoke penalty area, but the home side managed to break away. Sean McAuley found himself in the same position as Gradwell moments earlier and, unbelievably, his shot ended up with the same result.
It was an ugly three points for the home side, but a victory that lifted them to seventh in the table, and with a midweek visit to neighbours Salisbury City and a home tie against North Hampshire rivals Farnborough on Saturday, Town will be looking to continue their good start to the season.
The Dragons have been drawn away to Hallen or Frome in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA cup on October 1.
