DORCHESTER TOWN 1
Koszela 74
MERTHYR TOWN 3
Jemmett-Hutson 25 pen, Richards 50, K Evans 61
DORCHESTER Town were stunned 3-1 by struggling Merthyr Town at the Avenue Stadium.
Dorchester started off on the front foot, Yemi Odubade hitting the bar and Alfie Stanley seeing the follow-up cleared off the line.
That was until Tom Soares was penalised for a foul in the box, allowing Curtis Jemmett-Hutson to score from the spot.
And Merthyr belied their low position in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South table with two quick goals after the restart.
READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-3 Merthyr Town - how it happened
Eliot Richards hammered a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner before Kieran Evans tucked home for 3-0.
Olaf Koszela’s goal 15 minutes from time gave Dorchester hope but the Magpies were unable to force a nervy finish for the Martyrs.
Relegation-threatened Dorchester remain a point off safety after 19th-placed Kings Langley were beaten 2-1 by fellow strugglers Hartley Wintney.
Dorchester would have hoped to have capitalised on that type of result against a side who had previously only won twice all season.
Pre-match, Dorchester boss Glenn Howes made three changes to the side that began the 2-1 win over Swindon Supermarine last time out.
In came new signing Michael Green, Charlie Gunson and Tom Soares at the expense of Jack Wadham, Ashley Wells and George Calverley.
Ash Wells was injured, while Wadham and Calverley dropped to the bench.
Howes’ changes, largely favouring experience over youth, looked to be working as Dorchester made the brighter start.
Yemi Odubade nearly scored when he rounded Martyrs’ keeper Jamie Cogman before chipping an effort against the bar.
Alfie Stanley then followed up with the rebound, his shot blocked on the line by determined last-ditch defence.
Odubade caused more problems for Merthyr when he got goalside of Ismail Yakubu and went to ground.
Yakubu saw yellow for the foul but Dorchester were incensed by the officials’ decision not to brandish red.
Ten minutes later Merthyr, who looked at home on a 3G surface they also use at Penydarren Park, took the lead – seconds after Odubade had a goal ruled out for offside.
Soares tripped his man in the box and was promptly booked, allowing Jemmett-Hutson to send home keeper Jack Bycroft the wrong way from the spot for 1-0.
Dorchester appeared affected by the goal and took time to regroup, Gunson firing over near half-time after good work from Harry McGrath.
Howes’ men needed a good start after the interval but instead they found themselves 2-0 down as Merthyr scored a spectacular second goal.
Dorchester conceded a free-kick 30 yards out and there seemed little danger until Richards thundered a quality strike into the top corner to spark jubilant scenes in the Merthyr ranks.
Howes responded by hauling off McGrath and Billy Lowes for Wadham and Bertrand, but the Magpies soon shed a third goal.
Merthyr constructed a patient move with passes zipping around on the 3G surface before Evans cut inside, reached the area and smashed past Bycroft on the hour.
His goal left Dorchester with a mountain to climb but Koszela provided the Magpies with hope, scoring 16 minutes from the final whistle.
Oakley Hanger raided down the right and his cross was buried by the Torquay loanee for his first goal since re-joining the club.
Green, who was booked in the seventh minute, made way for George Calverley as Dorchester applied pressure late on.
With five minutes remaining, Stanley tested Cogman but Merthyr stood firm as the hosts attempted to create a nervy finish.
Five added minutes were signalled but Dorchester could not breakthrough as Merthyr clinched a victory that moves them off the foot of the table at Wimborne’s expense.
Magpies: Bycroft, Hanger, Green (Calverley 78), Gunson, Buckley, Soares, McGrath (Bertrand 57), Stanley, Odubade, Koszela, Lowes (Wadham 57). Subs not used: Guppy, Baxter.
Merthyr: Cogman, Davies (Woodiwiss 77), O Evans, Cummings, Yakubu, Harris, K Evans (Thomas 72), John, Reffell, Richards, Jemmett-Hutson. Subs not used: J Evans, Phipps, Hibbert.
Referee: Paul Barber
Attendance: 355
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