Tom's triumph

BROMLEY 1 McBean 2 (pen)

AS far as first goals go, Tom Mitchell’s proved crucial as he opened his account at the perfect time by firing Dorchester Town to safety.

The midfielder, who has received plenty of criticism from sections of the Magpies’ faithful ever since he arrived at the club with father and majority shareholder Eddie Mitchell, scored what proved to be the winner against Bromley after Jamie Gleeson had cancelled out Warren McBean’s early penalty.

And the win was all the more vital as 20th-placed Thurrock earned a 2-0 victory over Bath City. Thurrock are relegated from the Blue Square South as a result while the county town outfit can look forward to renewing their rivalry with Weymouth next season after the Terras fell through the Blue Square Premier trapdoor on Friday night.

Injured player-boss Roy O’Brien was forced to make three changes from last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bognor.

Mitchell Nicholson, Kevin Hill and Nick Crittenden were all suspended so in came Darren Watts, Ivan Forbes and fit-again Gary Bowles.

Under-18 trio Neil Kellaway, Danny Critchel and Adam Taylor all made the bench.

The afternoon got off to the worst possible start for the Magpies though as Jake Smeeton was adjudged to have fouled McBean in the box, conceding a penalty after just two minutes and escaping with a booking.

The Bromley striker dusted himself off and beat Gareth Stewart to his left, despite the home keeper guessing correctly.

Dorchester looked lethargic in their approach and soon saw a Ryan Hall drive fizz just past their left post.

But the home side began to settle and registered their first shot in the 16th minute. Forbes played the ball low into Jacob Erskine and after holding off the attentions of a Bromley defender, the on-loan forward turned well but fired high.

However, the Magpies found a crucial leveller four minutes later courtesy of Gleeson. Forbes was picked out on the left by Mark Jermyn and then displayed great trickery to go past Jerrome Sobers on the by-line.

The Portuguese winger cut the ball back for Mitchell, whose shot was blocked, but the rebound fell for the onrushing Gleeson to fire home.

The joy was almost short-lived as Adrian Stone set Ali Chaaban free down the right and his teasing cross narrowly evaded the head of McBean.

A huge sigh of relief met that miss and just three minutes later the relief turned to overwhelming joy as Mitchell gave the hosts the lead.

Gleeson whipped in a dangerous free-kick right by the corner flag, visiting keeper Gareth Williams failed to catch under pressure from Ashley Vickers and Mitchell was in the right place to nod home the loose ball.

Forbes was proving a constant menace but neither side was able to create any openings until right on half-time when the Magpies were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the away side’s penalty area.

Bowles went for power but smashed his effort high and wide.

The Magpies started the second half in lively fashion and a deflected cross from Watts had Williams scrambling across his goal. Luckily for the visitors, the ball found the side netting with Vickers heading the resultant corner wide.

At the other end McBean beat Smeeton for pace but was thwarted by an alert Stewart before Bowles poked the loose ball away from danger with Harry Harding ready to pounce.

Harding then picked out McBean with a great slide-rule pass and after nicking the ball Stewart, the Bromley man was left frustrated as Vickers cleared off the goal-line.

The Bromley pressure was building and the visitors were just a lick of paint away from drawing level. Chaaban cut in from the right side and unleashed a powerful drive which crashed against the Magpies’ crossbar.

Fortunately for the hosts, Stone’s header from the rebound was safely gathered by Stewart.

Stewart was then forced to tip over Sobers’ header from a Harding corner.

Back came Dorchester though and Mitchell was a mere inches away from adding his second with a 25-yard free-kick. A great effort from the 21-year-old was matched by Williams who palmed the ball on to the woodwork.

With little more than 10 minutes to play, Forbes showed great desire to chase a lost cause, rob Aaron Dalhouse of possession and square for the oncoming Walsh.

However, the striker’s effort was tame and easily saved.

Dorchester hearts were in mouths as the game entered stoppage time and Vickers’ slip allowed McBean a clear run at Stewart’s goal. However, Smeeton came to the rescue with a tremendous last-ditch tackle to secure survival.

Dorchester: Stewart, Bowles, Smeeton, Gleeson, Vickers, Jermyn, Watts, Mitchell, Erskine, Walsh, Forbes. Subs not used: Clarke, N Kellaway, Critchel, Taylor, Coward.

Bromley: Williams, Dalhouse, Corneille, Beaney (Robinson 55), Sobers, Gilman (Dolby 31(Pakasa 77)), Chaaban, Harding, McBean, Hall, Stone. Subs not used: Davis, Norval.