Sam Tucknott on the ball for Basingstoke
Pictures from the match
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Frank Gray will be the most pleased of the 2 managers, his side earning a well deserved point on the road. Stoke hit the woodwork twice but Dorchester will look back that Ross Kitteridge was the busiest of the 2 keepers. However Stoke stood firm away from home and proved that they will be a difficult side to beat this season as the home side tried to up their game in the second half.
The first chance of the game came in the 3rd minute for the home side from a free kick. Kevin Hill meeting a free kick with a fine header forcing a finger tip save from Ross Kitteridge. Stoke responded with a slick move involving Warner, Williamson and Jombarti but Faulkner could not control the final ball. On 7 minutes Jombarti sent Tucknott away down the right earning a corner. The second corner in resulted in a foul against the visitors.
A strong start from Stoke, 2 minutes later Hankin and Jombarti were involved in setting up Faulkner who rushed his shot and scuffed wide. A minute later Tucknott, Jombarti again Williamson and Hankin were involved in some neat work the visitors forcing another corner. The home side clearing for a throw in. 13 minutes in Danny Clay was booked for the home side for a foul on Tom Williamson. 2 Minutes later the home side putting together a string of passes, the final one appeared as if it would reach Jamie Mudge in space but Aiden Lewis coolly intercepting the danger. Stoke moved forward again, Jombarti and Warner combining, Williamson shooting wide. Stoke earned 2 corners on 21 minutes but the home side released the pressure with a fine run from his own half by Leon Osei earning a corner for his side.
The home fans vented their anger at the linesman on 21 minutes when Hill appeared to have put Moss through only for a late flag to indicate offside. Stoke continued to frustrate their hosts with the home side being caught offside a number of times.
Dorchester earned a free kick on 33 which was fiercely driven in from 25 yards by Smeeton, turned away well by Kitteridge for a corner. As the half came to an end Dorchester increased the pressure, 3 minutes later earning another corner. 5 minutes from the end of the half Jombarti put Tucknott into a good position but Stoke could not get him support before the home side were able to deal with the situation. The home fans thought they had taken the lead on 41, Hill met the incoming corner and in the scramble Kitteridge failed to collect but an infringement was spotted and a free kick to Stoke. In first half injury time Hankin received an injury to the head and was replaced by Phil Ruggles. Half time 0 - 0
The start of the second half was scrappy, the first noteworthy incident 5 minutes in. Faulkner let fly a long range shot, with the keeper beaten striking the woodwork. Play switched to the other end and Kitteridge made a comfortable save from Dorchester man of the match Leon Osei. At the other end Ruggles and Warner combined but Warner's cross was easily dealt with.
On 57 Moss found himself in the box but could not pick out a team mate. On the hour Gibbs replaced Faulker. 8 minutes later Mudge shot wide of Kitteridge's right post from outside the box. 2 minutes later a weak header from Hill was an easy save for the visiting keeper. As the home side applied the pressure to gain a win, they came close to scoring. The dangerous Osei sent Moss down the right and he shot across Kitteridge who beat the ball away, the loose ball cleared off the line and Kitteridge was up to save as the ball was again turned in. Mudge earnt the home side a corner and shot just wide from the incoming corner.
15 minutes from time Stoke forced successive corners, Tucknotts shot from the second blocked and the hosts breaking away to earn their own corner. Stoke having to work hard defending as Dorchester forced 2 more corners in succession, respite coming for Stoke in the way of a free kick. With 11 minutes left Tarpey replaced Tucknott. Watkins set Gibbs away who won a corner on the left. A dangerous corner swung in forced the home keeper to punch clear. With 6 minutes left Mudge thought he had sprung clear for Dorchester, only for the linesman to rule him offside. A burst forward by Gibbs was broken up for a counterattack by the home side and Hill and Mudge combined to set Moss away but Watkins marshalled him brilliantly, keeping pace with him and forcing him wide. In the final minutes home captain Roy O'Brien was stretchered off with a twisted ankle. Dorchester forced a corner in injury time, pushing in the box gave Stoke a free kick. The game ended in confusion as 4 minutes in to time added on the fourth official indicated on the board one minute of added time, as Frank Gray was about to protest the ref signalled the end of the game. A good point for Stoke, the home side probably less pleased with theirs.
Basingstoke: Ross Kitteridge, Aiden Lewis, Rob Watkins, Jason Bristow, Joe Dolan, Sean Hankin (Phil Ruggles), Sam Tucknott (David Tarpey), Tom Williamson, James Faulkner (Carl Gibbs), Sido Jombarti , Matt Warner.
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