DORCHESTER TOWN 0

SALISBURY 5

Holmes 11, Knowles 63, Bentley 68, Jefferies 78, Fitchett 87

DORCHESTER will consider themselves a little unfortunate to have suffered another heavy defeat as Salisbury ran out 5-0 winners in their BetVictor Southern League Premier South clash at the Clayson Stadium.

Trailing to an 11th-minute Toby Holmes opener, the Magpies attacked Salisbury’s slender lead with gusto at the start of the second half but were punished without mercy by a Whites side who counter-attack at speed and with pinpoint accuracy.

Dorchester boss Leigh Robinson made three changes to his starting line-up following the midweek defeat at Swindon Supermarine.

Harry Warwick and Jack Torniainen were left out of the starting line-up and were joined on the bench by Nick Hutchings, the returning Cameron Sangster and Luke Winsper.

Robinson was without suspended duo Ben Rowthorn and Tom Blair while Kyle Egan and Callum Rose were unavailable.

New loan signing Charlie Madden made his debut while Jamie Laird made his first start at the Clayson Stadium.

Salisbury keeper Marcus Beauchamp was tested in the second minute but proved equal to Madden’s right-wing centre at his near post.

Madden was soon busy at the other end heading clear a deep cross from Alexander Lafleur.

A free-kick delivered by Neil Martin was headed wide by Nathan Walker before Salisbury broke clear with the industrious Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick shaking off the attentions of several markers.

He strode across the edge of the penalty area and delivered the telling pass which enabled Whites’ skipper, Lewis Benson, to loop a centre over keeper Shane Murphy for Holmes to nod home from a yard at the far post.

A Benson corner was punched away by Murphy with Billy Lowes completing the clearance. Ollie Knowles fired well wide for the visitors who failed to build on their breakthrough in the first half.

Holmes was played through but over ran the ball. A good challenge and calm ball back to Murphy from Laird prevented Hippolyte-Patrick racing clear while Madden did likewise to frustrate Holmes.

A cross from Sean Wright found Tom Bath who fired wide while Walker shepherded a long Benson ball back to Murphy as Dorchester continued to stifle the Whites’ attack.

Benson’s free-kick was then met by Thomas Leak whose powerful header was clawed out by Murphy while an offside Walker glanced a Martin free-kick wide for Dorchester.

Bay Downing then looked to have set up Warren Bentley who stumbled at the vital moment and the chance was lost.

Walker pulled off an impressive challenge to dispossess Hippolyte-Patrick then played a pinpoint ball to Bath who just failed to beat the offside trap.

But Lowes was forced off following a clash of heads then a collar bone injury in quick succession and went to hospital after being replaced by Sangster just ahead of the break.

The Magpies emerged for the second with renewed belief and at this stage were indeed very much in the game.

Madden found Wright whose cross reached Gardner but his weak far-post effort was blocked.

A free-kick conceded by Hippolyte-Patrick for a foul on Clarke was taken by Martin who found Bath but Dorchester’s leading striker fired wide.

Sangster’s corner was half cleared to Wright who found Gardner but his centre was cleared.

The first of several Salisbury quick breaks ended with Holmes planting the ball in the net but fortunately for the Magpies this effort was ruled out through offside. A clever pass from Wright just eluded Bath before Madden was shown the only yellow card of the afternoon for simulation.

The match was shortly to turn decidedly against the Magpies.

Just five minutes later Steve Claridge’s side doubled their lead after a Benson corner was played on by Bentley for Knowles to beat a statuesque Murphy with a powerful drive to the top-right corner.

Holmes then had a shot blocked for Salisbury who continued to press and Benson found Bentley who curled in a third Salisbury goal from the left edge of the penalty area.

Holmes failed to keep the ball in play when clean through while Murphy saved a near-post drive from Downing.

Salisbury added a fourth goal 12 minutes from time when Downing surged down the right flank before drilling in a centre for visiting debutant Dominic Jefferies to turn in.

The Whites compounded the Magpies’ misery with another lightning break started and finished by substitute Daniel Fitchett who exchanged passes with Downing before slotting past Murphy.

Bottom side Dorchester have now gone 15 league games without a win and are now 11 points from safety after Hartley Wintney and Hendon both won.

Magpies: Murphy, Madden, Martin, Laird, Walker, Clarke, Wright, Lowes (Sangster 42), Bath (Warwick 75), Purrington, Gardner (Torniainen 67). Subs not used: Hutchings, Winsper

Salisbury: Beauchamp, Downing, Lafleur, Knowles, Leak, Oseni, Benson, Jefferies, Holmes (Fitchett 75), Bentley, Hippolyte-Patrick (Young 79). Subs not used: Amankwaah, Dawson, Wannell.

Referee: Robert Cockle

Attendance: 469

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