Dorchester Town 1-0 Truro City: Charlie Gunson's 30-yarder sinks City

Gunson 37

TRURO CITY 0

CHARLIE Gunson’s 30-yard rocket gave Dorchester Town an early Christmas present with a 1-0 win over title-chasing Truro City at the Avenue Stadium.

Dan Sullivan had earlier hit the post for City, who came into the game second in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South.

Harvey Bradbury and Andrew Neal also missed near open goals but it was Gunson’s moment of sublime quality that separated the sides, sending Dorchester into the play-off spots.

Dorchester made four changes to the side that began the 3-1 home loss to Chesham last time out.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 1-0 Truro City - how it happened

Olaf Koszela has returned to Torquay after sustaining a broken ankle, while Alex Moyse, Jordi Foot and skipper Callum Buckley dropped to the bench.

Keith Emmerson was named captain in Buckley's absence.

Harvey-Joe Bertrand, Emmerson, Shaq Gwengwe and Bradbury all came into the starting XI.

Louie Slough retained his place on the bench, while Olly Balmer was drafted into the matchday squad once more after shaking off a knee injury.

Truro began the day knowing a win would take them top, with this fixture the only one of ten in the division to survive the cold elements.

And the White Tigers pushed the tempo from the off, Neal testing Magpies’ keeper Ryan Hall with a dipping volley and Tyler Harvey heading the resultant corner over.

Emmerson was then at his alert best to make a lunging block on Shane White’s close-range effort, Matty Neale matching his defence with a clearance off the line from Ben Adelsbury’s header.

Matty Neale, right, clears off the line for Dorchester (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Dorchester grew increasingly irate at what they perceived to be the officials’ lenience as Truro’s defence put themselves about, Adelsbury lucky to escape yellow for clattering into Bradbury’s head.

Shortly after, Sullivan had the freedom of the Avenue to smash a shot against the far post with Hall charging out to block ex-Magpie Kyle Egan’s follow-up.

But Dorchester were left to ponder how they did not take the lead as Gwengwe stole in on the left and was left with a simple square ball to Bradbury for 1-0.

However, the pass veered away from the tall striker who poked his shot wide at full stretch six yards out, to the disbelief of the home crowd.

Harvey Bradbury, front, missed three big chances for Dorchester (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

The chance was Dorchester’s first shot of any kind and appeared to invigorate them as Alfie Stanley’s shot was blocked, although Truro gave a reminder of their threat when Adam Porter curled wide.

Neal saw a deflected shot sail harmlessly over for Truro before a blockbuster strike from Gunson gave Dorchester a lead to protect.

Gwengwe excelled in drawing a foul with his back to goal and Dorchester worked a routine to perfection as Jordan Ngalo laid off to Gunson, the midfielder controlling and hammering a rising 30-yarder into the top-left corner.

Charlie Gunson, number seven, unleashes a belter from 30 yards (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Gwengwe headed over and Ngalo sliced wide from distance as Dorchester chased a second before half-time.

When play resumed, Truro again started brightly and forced Dorchester into a second goalline clearance as Harvey Bertrand this time denied Connor Riley-Lowe.

Dorchester then suffered a bitter blow of injuries to Gwengwe and Ngalo in the space of nine minutes, Moyse and Foot replacing them.

Midway through the half, Bradbury was culpable for two more golden missed chance as he first headed a good near-post chance over and then shovelled wide after Dorchester’s press created a one-on-one.

Truro, frustrations growing, then switched Sullivan and Porter for Colin Oppong and Ryan Brett.

Instead, it was Dorchester who prized the next opening with gaps appearing. Bradbury and Stanley passed their way through midfield but Stanley took too long to shoot after scampering into the box.

Truro’s first chance since the goalline clearance then went as quickly as it came, Neal swiping at a deflected cross with Oppong poised to shoot behind him.

Andrew Neal, left, endured a poor day in front of goal for Truro (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Eight minutes of added time were required due to the injuries and in the 96th minute Truro fashioned a rare second-half chance only for Adelsbury to blaze over.

Truro continued to throw everything at Dorchester and the hosts were fortunate to stay ahead when Brett’s flick-on found Neal, only for the striker to poke wide at full stretch.

And Dorchester were able to see out a priceless victory in the remaining seconds to boost themselves into sixth.

Magpies: Hall, Bertrand, Sa, Neale, Emmerson, Douglas, Gunson, Ngalo (Foot 61), Bradbury, Stanley (Slough 90+5), Gwengwe (Moyse 52). Subs not used: Balmer, Buckley.

Truro: Hamon, Riley-Lowe, White, Adelsbury, Haste, Egan, Dean, Porter (Brett 77), Sullivan (Oppong 71), Harvey, Neal. Subs not used: Okoh, Knowles, Rice-Lethaby.

Referee: Jake Woolley

Attendance: 388