TWO fine strikes from Rico Wilson and Nick Crittenden saw Dorchester Town record back-to-back wins in Blue Square Bet South for the first time in almost 11 months.
Wilson struck just past the quarter-hour mark with a stunning scissor kick while Crittenden’s second-half solo effort secured victory for the travelling Magpies, and left rock-bottom Hampton & Richmond still searching for their first win of the season.
Boss Ashley Vickers, whose side now sit 14th, just three points adrift of the play-offs, said: “It was a real hard-working performance.
“We looked solid at the back and I think Alan Walker-Harris had just one save to make. We held a good line, we pressed at the right times and I don’t remember them having any good chances.
“The lads are very happy and they should enjoy the win but we’ll go back to work and prepare for Saturday’s game at Basingstoke now because it’s a long season and every game is crucial if we want to keep climbing the table.”
On the topic of last night’s wonder goals, Vickers added: “The first was a sublime finish and Rico has that ability to pull out the unknown. He was a thorn in their side and did ever so well.
“The second was just vintage Critts, it was a great goal.”
With captain Mark Jermyn sidelined by a knee injury and Ben Dickenson on holiday, the Magpies were forced to make two changes from the side that toppled league leaders Welling United at the weekend.
In came Crittenden and Ryan Moss with Ashley Nicholls, Adam Taylor and manager Vickers drafted on to the substitutes’ bench.
Wilson, who made his first start of the season on Saturday, continued to lead the line and Vickers’ faith was repaid 16 minutes in as the 20-year-old opened the scoring in emphatic fashion.
Towering defender Nathan Walker embarked on a mazy run and his adventurous foray ended with a cross to Wilson, who produced an acrobatic finish to beat home keeper Rodney Chiweshe.
The Beavers were visibly shaken by the opener and almost found themselves two behind. However, Moss’ run and cross was nodded narrowly over the top by Ryan Dovell.
Hampton did enjoy a period of pressure in the first half but Alan Walker-Harris in the visiting goal was rarely called into action, while at the other end, Chiweshe was forced to make a handful of stops as Dorchester broke with purpose.
Despite seeing the hosts make a bright start to the second period, the Magpies continued to create the more clear-cut openings.
First, Kyle Critchell’s cross-cum-shot came back off the woodwork before Wilson spurned a glorious opportunity to put daylight between the two teams.
The young striker need not have worried though, as team-mate Crittenden mustered a fine individual effort to secure victory 13 minutes from time.
The county town winger showed superb control before skipping past two defenders and firing an unstoppable strike beyond the grasp of Chiweshe.
Magpies: Walker-Harris, Critchell, Martin, Dovell, Walker, Bowles, Critten-den (Bell 85), Gleeson, Wilson (Nicholls 75), Flood, Moss (Symes 80). Subs not used: Vickers, Taylor.
Booked: Chris Flood.
Attendance: 260
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