Phil Simkin

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St Albans City 2 - 1 Dorchester

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Magpies take a step forward despite defeat

by Ky Capel

Assistant-boss Phil Simkin believes the Magpies took another step towards becoming a “complete side” last night despite going down to a 2-1 defeat at St Albans City.

A severely depleted Dorchester suffered only their second loss in 10 games but it could have been a different story had the visitors capitalised on a host of first-half chances.

Drew Roberts’ early penalty, after Kevin Hill was adjudged to have handled, was cancelled out by a 34th-minute spot-kick from Matt Groves.

But a mistake from Neil Martin, seven minutes before the break, allowed Roberts to net what proved to be the winning goal.

Simkin said: “We were absolutely outstanding in the first half and made chance after chance, but we went behind even though they hardly got out of their half.

“We were then camped in their half and played as well as we have done in a long time. We had six or seven corners on the spin and from the last of those Nathan Walker was pushed and Matt stuck the penalty away. But St Albans broke again and, with the help of a defensive error, went ahead once more.

“As hard as we tried, we couldn’t get back on level terms and we went home with nothing despite a top-class performance.

“We created a lot of chances but did not take them and that’s the one thing that’s missing at the moment.

“It’s about taking steps forward though, and this is another one towards making us a complete side.”

The Magpies’ camp was rocked by illness in the build-up to last night’s trip, forcing manager Ashley Vickers to reshuffle his pack and draft in new signing Steve Gilbert – a 24-year-old defender who has penned dual registration forms with Dorchester and Wimborne Town.

Simkin added: “Ryan Hill and Harry Nodwell had stomach bugs, Gary Bowles was the same and shouldn’t really have been on the bench, Ryan Moss wasn’t well enough to play but did, James Coutts was only well enough to start as sub and Kyle Critchell is away with the Wales semi-professional squad. It was tough getting a squad together but the lads still performed.”

Of Gilbert, who remained an un-used substitute, Simkin said: “He’s been with me at Hamworthy United and was involved with the Dorch-ester reserve team several years ago.

“Alex Browne will give him games at Wimborne and we’re grateful for that – it’s a good arrangement.

“I’ve got no doubt he can make the step up like Nathan Walker and Steve Devlin have done already.”

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