Crusaders go down by single goal at Magpies

There was an air of sadness at the magnificent Community Stadium following the sudden death of their popular kit manager Alex Legge, son of their of long-serving President Ashley Legge, but this was alleviated by their home win which followed last week’s F.A.Cup victory as we slipped to another disappointing defeat.
We had a serious set-back in the opening minutes when Charlie Mpi, who has already proved a great success, injured his ankle and soon had to go off, Alan O’Brien joining him before half-time as our attacking options were seriously damaged, and a soft goal conceded early in the second half was enough to earn the home side all three points.
Mpi was clearly hurt by that early tackle and although he carried on for a few minutes, it was obvious that his game was over, but things looked brighter when Mark Draycott found the net, only to be given offside, and James Clark shot just wide in a promising spell. Dorchester broke away, however and James Rusby stopped the attack at the expense of a corner before O’Brien was forced off just before the interval.
The crucial moment came after 53 minutes when Matt Day dallied on the ball and gave away a needless corner which was headed in by Ben Joyce ‘to give Dorchester the lead. Lee Smith (on for O’Brien) was liveliest forward, shooting just past the post and then bringing a good save from Alan Walker-Harris. The home keeper somehow managed to keep out another effort from Smith, but we were finding it difficult to open up the home defence and the home side held on to win a fairly even game which seldom reached the heights.
What now looks likely to be a blank day next Saturday added to the disappointment as, with two weeks without a midweek fixture, our future programme looks a very crowded one.