Collins screamer helps Magpies

Archie Collins’ superb long-range strike secured a fourth straight home victory for Dorchester Town, as the Magpies saw off Redditch United 1-0 at the Avenue Stadium.

The deadlock was broken by a moment of individual brilliance as the Exeter City loanee curled home from 25-yards to earn a hard-fought three points for Steve Thompson’s side.

Watch the Action Archie Collins Screamer

The Magpies boss handed a debut to new signing Cameron Ebbutt who signed on loan from Bristol Rovers mid-week, while Ross Carmichael started after a three-week absence. Archie Collins also returned after missing the clash at the Walks Stadium with illness, with Tom Blair and Edward Bastick dropping to the bench.

Both Antonio Diaz and Jason Brookes missed out on the matchday squad altogether.

It was the home side who started the brightest, after earning a free-kick on the far side. Kyle Egan delivered towards the penalty spot and Ross Carmichael rose highest to meet it, winning a corner after a deflection.

The resultant set-piece was cleared by Redditch, but the pressure from the Magpies continued. Carmichael did superbly to shake off the attentions of Tristain Dunkley, before chipping a ball across to Sam Lanahan on the edge of the area. The Poole-born midfielder looked to hook the ball over the onrushing Ethan Ross, but the Reds’ goalkeeper did well to smother the shot with his face.

Edji Mbunga posed a constant threat on the counter-attack, and moments later looked to jink into the box before blazing high over Chris Weale’s crossbar.

Carmichael then won possession back superbly inside the Redditch half, but could only drill an effort comfortably wide of the left upright.

The experienced Weale twice failed to deal with corner kicks from the Magpies’ opponents, the second attempt a hesitant flap at the back post before his defence hacked the ball clear after Dunkley’s clever flick.

In the 14th minute Redditch almost capitalised on their dominant spell, but full back Adam Page blasted a left-footed shot wide of the target.

Plymouth loanee Callum Rose has impressed at the Avenue since joining, and once again demonstrated his confidence on the ball when calmly dealing with a dangerous-looking delivery over the top.

Lanahan then immaculately controlled a chest-high delivery, but slipped as he let fly on the turn and watched his effort dribble past Ross’ far post.

Egan was the next player to try their luck after picking the ball up outside the box and surging forward, but once again the end product was lacking and Redditch cleared the tame attempt.

Just as it looked as though the Magpies’ frustrations in front of goal would continue, Collins cropped up with a stunner on the half-hour mark.

The youngster, making his first start for the Dorset club, picked up the ball 30 yards out before racing forward and rifling a powerful, curling effort into the bottom corner.

Neil Martin then tested Ross minutes later with a curling free-kick toward the top right corner, but the Reds’ shot stopper gathered with ease.

Dorchester continued to dominate, and almost doubled their lead. Collins picked up the ball on the edge of the area and waited to pick out Billy Lowes with a deft chip. The midfielder in turn teed up Ebbutt, whose low shot was comfortably collected down low by Ross.

As half-time approached, the Magpies continued to create – Lanahan found Lowes inside the box, who shot wide after an unfortunate bobble at the front post.

Redditch almost made Steve Thompson’s team pay for their missed opportunities early on after the restart. Dunkley found Stuart Fleetwood with a clever flick-on, and the former Weymouth man was denied by a superb plunging stop at the near post by Weale who managed to tip the ball onto the post and away from danger.

Minutes later, Martin acrobatically fired a volley over the top as the Reds looked to clear away, before Mbunga was allowed space to race towards goal and drive narrowly wide with Weale scrambling to his left.

Lewis Wright then burst into the Magpies’ penalty area and pulled back for Mbunga, who spurned another guilt-edged opportunity from 12 yards out.

Fleetwood then saw a deflected shot bounce wide of the target for the Reds, before Louis Ezewele’s venomous effort was superbly charged down from close range by a number of black and white shirts.

As Redditch continued to push forward for a leveller late on, Dorchester held firm and had chances deep into stoppage time to wrap up the three points.

The Reds won a corner on the cusp of 90 minutes, which Ross went upfield for. The Magpies cleared their lines and broke away with Egan who looked to feed through substitute Dom Panesar-Dower, but Nathan Fox raced back to protect his team’s open goal.

Ebbutt was presented with a final chance to notch a goal on his debut, but was denied by Ross who rushed off his line to smother.

Redditch were unable to muster one final attack, and Dorchester held on for a fourth consecutive home victory to move up to 19th place.

Source Dorchester Town FC