DORCHESTER TOWN U23 5

Symes 21 pen, Radivojsa 37, M Smith 49, Guppy 83, Phillips 90+1

GOSPORT BOROUGH U23 1

Fox 15

DORCHESTER Town Under-23s completed a league and cup double in stunning style with a 5-1 victory over Gosport Borough Under-23s at the Avenue Stadium.

Having received the Hampshire Combination and Development League Division West title prior to kick-off, the Magpies added the Challenge Cup to their list of silverware this season.

They had to come from behind to do it after Ethan Fox’s 15th-minute free-kick put Gosport into a merited lead.

Ben Symes then equalised with a penalty after last man Steven Cully conceded a foul on Ruben Smith, for which he was sent off.

Kriss Radivojsa added a second before half-time and Marcus Smith buried a brilliant free-kick in the 49th minute.

Ash Guppy’s flicked backheel and Josh Phillips’ ruthless fifth then wrapped up a memorable night for the young Magpies.

Dorchester Under-23s showed just one change to the side that began the 1-0 John Stimpston Memorial Trophy final loss to AFC Stoneham last week.

Phillips dropped to the bench, with midfielder Marcus Smith coming back from suspension.

As expected with cup finals, both sides made a nervy start but Gosport settled the quicker of the two.

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Borough used the press intelligently to rob Dorchester of possession numerous times in the first ten minutes, and had Magpies keeper Cam Pike scrambling with an effort that just evaded the near post on seven minutes.

Dorchester eased themselves into the game when Ruben Smith saw a shot blocked, but Gosport were deservedly ahead in the 15th minute.

After winning a free-kick on the right, Fox curled in a teasing delivery that floated just inside the far post as Dorchester’s defence hesitated to deal with the cross.

However, Dorchester were behind for just six minutes in what proved to be the pivotal moment in the game.

Symes was allowed to speed forward into space and slid in Ruben Smith, whose pace drew a clumsy foul from last man Cully for a penalty and a red card.

Symes then coolly dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner to equalise.

Gosport subbed midfielder Ollie Erdinc for Harry Shaw to compensate for the numerical disadvantage and the substitute was instantly involved, his header from a corner forcing a point-blank save by home keeper Cam Pike.

Pike’s opposite number Ryan Rochester was also busy, requiring fingertips to touch over Ruben Smith’s deft header.

But Dorchester were ahead in the 37th minute when Radivojsa pounced 18 yards out, sending a clinical finish into the bottom-right corner.

Dorset Echo: Dorchester celebrate after Kriss Radivojsa, right, puts them 2-1 up Picture: GRAHAM HUNT PHOTOGRAPHYDorchester celebrate after Kriss Radivojsa, right, puts them 2-1 up Picture: GRAHAM HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

George Calverley sent a free-kick over from 25 yards and Adam Heaton’s 40-yard drive sailed over as Dorchester tried to add to the lead before the break.

Going for the jugular, boss Brian Churchill introduced Phillips at the break for Calverley and he won a free-kick three seconds into the half, only for Gosport to clear.

Another free-kick four minutes into the half led to Dorchester’s third, however.

Sam Herrington was flattened 25 yards out and Marcus Smith then stepped up to ping a stunning low effort inside the near post for 3-1.

Radivojsa got a well-earned break on 63 minutes as Guppy entered the fray, before Phillips saw a good chance blocked 12 yards out.

And dominant Dorchester threatened a fourth when Phillips forced a punch from Rochester with a looping header.

Churchill ensured Jack Cutmore and Jack Steele got a taste of the action late on at the expense of Symes and Herrington, before the hosts scored a sumptuous fourth.

Phillips stormed down the right and his cross was cheekily backheeled into the far corner by Guppy seven minutes from time.

Ollie Crisp got a late run out for Ruben Smith as Churchill used all his substitutes, and there was still time for Phillips to deftly control a diagonal ball and run unopposed at Rochester before tucking home at the near post for 5-1.

Gosport, to their credit, kept working until the final whistle and were nearly rewarded with a second goal when sub Dylan Holgate’s 20-yarder brushed the side-netting.

But Dorchester were good value for their win and added the cup to their Division West title, capping a tremendous season.

Dorset Echo: Dorchester's Craig Robinson, left, Brian Churchill, centre, and John Cook after beating Gosport 5-1 to win the U23 league and cup double Picture: GRAHAM HUNT PHOTOGRAPHYDorchester's Craig Robinson, left, Brian Churchill, centre, and John Cook after beating Gosport 5-1 to win the U23 league and cup double Picture: GRAHAM HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: GRAHAM HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY)

Magpies: Pike, Heaton, Calverley (Phillips 46), Callow, Baxter, Fowles, Symes (Cutmore 75), M Smith, R Smith (Crisp 87), Radivojsa (Guppy 63), Herrington (J Steele 80).

Gosport: Rochester, Rose, Ford, Watkins (Nanton 82), Walsh-Smith, Cully, Fox (Cooper 70), Erdinc (Shaw 23), Djaura, Stringer (Holgate 55), Dougan (Heath 85).