Chris Flood
DORCHESTER TOWN
1	Dan Thomas
2	Kyle Critchell
3	Jake Smeeton
4	Mark Jermyn
5	Nathan Walker
6	Ashley Vickers
7	Reece Connolly
8	Gary Bowles
9	Ryan Moss
10	Chris Flood
11	Steve Devlin
Substitutes
12	Nick Crittenden
14	Neil Martin
15	Adam Taylor
16	Lee White
17	Regan Coward
THURROCK
1	Joe Woolley
2	Craig Pope
3	Lee Flynn
4	Lynval Duncan
5	Rob Swaine
6	Kenny Clark
7	Matt Bodkin
8	Dean Cracknell
9	Jamie Richards		64
10	Freddie Ladapo		78
11	Reece Harris		64
Substitutes
12	Tejan Sie		64
14	Paul Olima		64
15	Joao Carlos
16	Tom Murphy		78
17	David Knight
REFEREE
Brett Huxtable (Torrington)

Saturday 5th March 2011
		Dorchester Town	3
		Connolly 14, Flood 60, 87
		Thurrock	1
		Clark 6

Flood-gates open for Magpies

by Ky Capel

You wait six and a half hours for a goal and then three come along at once.

After failing to score in their previous four outings, the Magpies had fallen perilously close to the Blue Square Bet South drop-zone.

But despite going a goal down to their fellow strugglers at the Avenue Stadium on Saturday, Reece Connolly’s first for the club and a brace from Chris Flood secured only Dorchester’s second win of 2011 – a victory that puts them five points clear of danger.

Gary Bowles was back from suspension but playing in the unfamiliar role of central midfield, which meant boss Ashley Vickers continued to partner Nathan Walker at the back.

Another welcome return saw Nick Crittenden take a place on the bench while Flood advanced from right wing to centre forward with Aldershot loanee Connolly moving the other way.

However, the best-laid plans were quickly thrown out of the window when, after a scrappy opening, Thurrock took an early lead.

The goal was soft to say the least with Jake Smeeton fluffing his clearance and Kenny Clark drilling the loose ball under home gloveman Dan Thomas.

The Magpies looked for a swift response and almost found it when Flood beat two defenders but saw his angled effort drift wide of the far post.

Dorchester’s number 10 kept plugging away and played a major role in helping the hosts draw level in the 14th minute – and break their goal drought of six hours and 32 minutes.

A Steve Devlin corner was cleared only as far as the former Crawley Town man, and his left-foot cross was expertly glanced home by Connolly – his maiden strike in county town colours.

The Magpies were now very much in the ascendancy and saw both Devlin and Ryan Moss go close to completing the comeback.

Thurrock’s threat remained intact though, and when Thomas clattered new signing Freddie Ladapo, after the latter had headed over, hearts were in mouths as the referee blew his whistle.

But to Dorchester’s relief, and everyone’s huge surprise, Brett Huxtable penalised the visiting striker.

It remained all-square at the break with the final chance of the half falling to Flood, whose first-time shot flew narrowly over the top of Joe Woolley’s goal.

Mark Jermyn volleyed wide after good approach play four minutes into the restart before the skipper helped set up Flood for the Magpies’ second of the afternoon.

The midfielder’s through ball was left by Moss, standing in an offside position, but with the Thurrock backline waiting for a flag, Flood ran from deep and successfully lobbed the stranded Woolley.

The visitors made a double substitution in reply but it was Dorchester who almost added a third soon after.

Unfortunately, Devlin’s cross was a tad too deep and Moss, who had to adjust as a result, could only fire over from close range.

An even better chance presented itself with eight minutes left on the clock, following a neat exchange between the county town goalscorers.

Flood’s return pass left Connolly with just Woolley to beat but the keeper produced a crucial block.

The roles were then reversed and this time the result was a defining third goal for the hosts – Flood getting the better of Woolley after receiving Connolly’s poke through.

And it was no more than the hosts deserved, as they finally managed to turn dominance into goals.

	MATCH STATS
12	TOTAL ATTEMPTS	5
5	ATTEMPTS ON TARGET	3
7	ATTEMPTS OFF TARGET	2
0	HIT WOODWORK	0
6	CORNERS	3
3	OFFSIDES	2
13	FREE-KICKS CONCEDED	17