Matt Groves celebrates his goal with Andre Costa
DORCHESTER TOWN
1	Regan Coward
2	Harry Montacute
3	Neil Martin
4	Mark Jermyn
5	Gary Bowles
6	Ollie Barnes
7	Andre Costa		34
8	Jamie Gleeson
9	Phil Walsh
10	Matt Groves
11	Nick Crittenden		75
Substitutes
12	Tom Mitchell
14	Harry Nodwell		75
15	Kevin Hill
16	Jake Smeeton		34
17	Sam Filkins
BRAINTREE TOWN
1	Nathan McDonald
2	Ryan Peters
3	Adam Bailey-Dennis		28
4	Joe Bruce
5	Ryan Moran		46
6	Tom Bruno		46
7	Harlee Dean
8	Matt Game
9	George Purcell
10	Sean Marks
11	Jon Keeling
Substitutes
12	Mark Jones		28
14	Lynvall Duncan		46
15	Michael Power		46
16	Lee Roache
17	Nick Morgan
Referee
-

Saturday 3rd October 2009
		Dorchester Town	5
		Jermyn 14, Crittenden 17, Groves 24, Barnes 57, Walsh 64
		Braintree Town	0

Lethal Magpies smash Iron

by Ky Capel

Dorchester Town recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they smashed five past a bewildered Braintree at the Jewson Stadium.

The Iron entered the match unbeaten on the road in Blue Square South but their impressive record was blown out of the water by a lethal county town side, who have now scored nine goals in their last two games.

Mark Jermyn continued his goal-scoring exploits with the first before Nick Crittenden and Matt Groves handed the hosts a 3-0 half-time lead.

Regan Coward had made a first-half penalty save to keep the visitors at bay and the advantage was extended in the second period when Ollie Barnes and Phil Walsh found the net.

The Magpies handed a debut to new signing Andre Costa - a former AFC Bournemouth and Fulham trialist - and welcomed back a fully fit Crittenden.

However, fellow midfielder Ian Selley (ankle) lost his fitness battle while Ollie Barnes came in for the suspended Ashley Vickers.

Dorchester Town Under-18 keeper Sam Filkins took a spot on the substitutes’ bench in the absence of the unavailable Ryan Northmore.

The Magpies made an explosive start to proceedings in their FA Cup triumph the week before, but against the Iron, Dorchester looked somewhat rusty in the early exchanges.

Harlee Dean took just 20 seconds to register the game’s first shot on target before Barnes almost put through his own net while trying to clear a Jon Keeling cross.

O’Brien’s men gradually picked up the pace and in the 10th minute Walsh had time to control and shoot on the turn, but his effort lacked power.

At the other end Coward had to be at his best to tip a rasping drive from George Purcell, just 12 yards out, on to his near post.

The 19-year-old’s save was a crucial one as just three minutes later the Magpies took the lead through last week’s hat-trick hero Mark Jermyn.

The stand-in skipper got on the end of Crittenden’s deep centre and despite the efforts of Joe Bruce on the line, the referee’s assistant awarded the goal.

The Magpies were now in full flow and they extended their lead soon after thanks to a cracker from Crittenden.

The midfielder pounced on a dropping ball in the Iron box and unleashed an unstoppable volley that flew into the top corner and left visiting keeper Nathan McDonald with no chance.

Dorchester’s afternoon got even better in the 24th minute. Costa, after winning possession in his own half, picked out Walsh, who dinked a neat ball over the top.

Matt Groves beat the offside trap before firing low into the far corner for 3-0.

The visitors were given the perfect opportunity to reduce the deficit immediately after when Jamie Gleeson was adjudged to have tripped Sean Marks in the box.

Strike-partner Purcell stepped up but Coward guessed correctly, diving to his right to keep out the spot-kick.

Costa was enjoying a lively debut but a stomach bug brought his afternoon to a premature end 11 minutes before the break.

The home side’s rhythm wasn’t disrupted though, and they went close to adding a fourth. However, an oncoming Gleeson was unable to adjust and the loose ball, from a Crittenden corner, was poked over.

Braintree made a double substitution during the interval but it was Dorchester who continued to look the more threatening, and just 60 seconds into the restart Walsh went close from 20 yards.

However, hesitant defending from Barnes gifted Marks a clear sight of goal. Luckily for the former, the latter flashed his effort wide.

Dorchester’s towering centre-half made up for the mishap though, with a 45-yard belter.

Jermyn was fouled by Lynval Duncan and there appeared to be no danger when Barnes stepped up to take the kick, however, McDonald was left red-faced as he failed to keep out the defender’s ambitious attempt.

Marks missed a great chance to grab a consolation before the Magpies rubbed further salt into the wound with a fifth – Walsh drilling home from 25 yards.

Braintree may have enjoyed a much closer encounter had they not come up against an opposition keeper in such fine form. And they were denied again on 77 minutes when Coward pulled off a one-handed stop to deny Bruce.

The game belonged to the Magpies though, and they eased their relegation fears with three very welcome points.