DORCHESTER Town first-team coach Brian Churchill believes the Magpies took their “just rewards” after beating Yate Town 2-0 at the Avenue Stadium.

It took only seven minutes in Dorchester’s first match of 2023 for the Magpies to score as Harvey Bradbury slotted home to punish ugly Yate defending from a free-kick.

Yate hit the post through Kyle Tooze but Shaq Gwengwe volleyed home a second on 25 minutes to give Dorchester breathing space.

Matty Neale also hit the woodwork seconds later but Dorchester keeper Ryan Hall was rarely called upon as the hosts strolled into sixth place in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South table.

READ MORE: Dorchester Town 2-0 Yate Town - match report

Three points pushed Dorchester up three places, issuing the perfect response to the 3-0 loss at Poole on Boxing Day.

Churchill told Echosport: “I think it’s just rewards for the work the guys have put in since that Poole defeat.

“We’ve been in twice and tactically Glenn (Howes, boss) had it spot on. We limited them and I can’t remember Ryan having a save to make.

“A couple of crosses but we’ve defended our box really well and scored when we needed to – pretty much a routine three points.

“It’s nice for Bradders, he’s been getting a little bit of stick for not finding the back of the net lately, so it was nice for him to get on the scoresheet.

“It was also nice to see Shaq back from his injury and looking like the Shaq we know and the Shaq that’s going to score 20 goals in this league.”

Churchill again highlighted Howes’ tactical detail as Dorchester exposed Yate in wide areas.

He said: “We identified that as an area we could exploit.

“They’re difficult to play through but we thought we could play round and that reaped dividends.

“I thought we looked solid. We went big, both of our full-backs were a good size and we knew they’d have a physical battle.

“We know all about Tooze and how physical he is, but the back four and Ryan, having Emmo (Keith Emmerson) just in front, we looked pretty solid and a vast improvement from the Poole game.”

In the first half, Dorchester were incensed that Gwengwe did not win a penalty after appearing to be pulled down by his shirt in a tussle with Yate’s Jack Stanley.

Asked whether Dorchester should have had a penalty, Churchill said: “Yeah, I thought so.

“Like they say, anywhere else on the pitch that’s a free-kick. We all thought it was a penalty.”

But the final word belonged to Bradbury, whose all-round display including hold-up play and misfortune not to win more fouls was touched upon.

Churchill added: “It’s a difficult one for him, we were screaming first half that their centre-half was literally wrapped his arms right round him, stopping him getting any lift to win any headers.

“It’s difficult. His size, refs tend to favour the defenders just because of his physical presence.

“That’s what he does for us, he gives a physical presence which we haven’t had before.

“It enables us to play different ways and he looked a real menace. I wouldn’t like to play against him!”

Dorchester return to action at relegation battlers Hartley Wintney on Saturday (3pm).