DORCHESTER TOWN 0

WESTON-SUPER-MARE 1

Soule 56

DORCHESTER Town suffered their first defeat of pre-season as old foes Weston-super-Mare claimed a 1-0 win at the Avenue Stadium.

The Magpies were well in the contest only to be undone by former West Brom youth star Jamie Soule’s 56th-minute winner, continuing Weston’s excellent recent record against Dorchester.

Coming up against the Southern League South champions, Dorchester knew they would face a step up in class from their 3-1 win over Bashley on Tuesday.

Dorchester did fashion the first opening as smart work from Jordan Ngalo allowed Shaq Gwengwe to try his luck, the striker blasting over.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 3-1 Bashley - report

The Seagulls hit back when keeper Lloyd Thomas was wise to Soule’s attempted chip, catching the effort 14 minutes in.

Weston, as predicted, began to impose their play onto Dorchester and fashioned two chances just past the half hour mark.

Former Forest Green midfielder Dayle Grubb picked out ex-Bristol City forward Marlon Jackson and his deflected striker fizzed just past Thomas’ goal.

Thomas was worked again as Weston attacked on the break from a Dorchester corner, Grubb this time warming the keeper’s gloves from 25 yards.

Moments later, Dorchester came the closest of either side to breaking the deadlock as Jake Graziano’s superlative cross picked out Gwengwe for a header that flashed inches wide.

A flurry of chances followed before half-time as Thomas clung on to an Opi Edwards grubber and Dorchester’s Alex Moyse shot wide from 25 yards.

Grubb then controlled a long pass and volleyed over as Weston ended the half on top.

Dorchester boss Glenn Howes called for just one change at the break as skipper Callum Buckley came on for Jordi Foot.

And he was straight into the action as Weston came forward through Soule, who tested Thomas from the edge of the box.

Thomas pushed clear a 20-yard Grubb effort and Dorchester winger Leighton Thomas then used his pace to evade Sam Avery on the break, only to drag wide.

Weston’s quality eventually told with a well-taken goal soon after, Soule using Jackson’s run to dart into space, beat his man and roll past Thomas into the opposite corner for 1-0.

As the changes flooded in for both sides, Weston’s new man Jay Murray blasted wide from 20 yards before Dorchester sub Lewis Waterfield teed up Trialist #17 to work keeper Luke Purnell.

Another Dorchester trialist later headed off target at the back post as the Magpies tried to equalise with little success, Weston holding on for victory.

Magpies: Ll Thomas (Trialist #20), Bertrand (Hosking 71), Trialist #3 (Sa 66), Foot (Buckley 46), Ngalo (Waterfield 66), Slough (Slough Trialist #6 71), Moyse (Toms 66), Trialist #8 (Trialist #4 66), Le Thomas (Trialist #17 57), Gwengwe (Koszela 57), Graziano (Trialist #21 66).