FA Cup: Christchurch shock Dorchester Town with 90th-minute winner

FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Christchurch FC 2Dorchester Town 1

CHRISTCHURCH FC produced a shock but deserved comeback win to knock heavy favourites Dorchester Town out of the FA Cup after Harvey Wright scored a 90th-minute winner last night (Tuesday).

Two leagues separate the sides, but there was no gulf in class. Even after the Magpies took a 1-0 lead through Tom Blair, Christchurch created decent chances which led to Dorchester conceding a scrappy own goal. With injury time moments away, Wright found the back of the net to upset the odds.

The giant-killing result came against a full-strength semi-professional Dorchester side who made only one change from their weekend league defeat to Weston-Super-Mare.

Christchurch started at a high tempo and won a couple of early corners. However, the second was cleared and ended at the feet of Dorchester’s pacey winger Blair. He flew down the right-wing before firing home to give his side an eighth-minute lead.

Just after the restart, Christchurch levelled when keeper Will Buse dropped Max Wilcock’s corner in the six-yard box. The ensuing melee led to Dorchester bundling the ball into their own net.

The enthused Christchurch side continued to spray the ball across the pitch, testing the Dorchester defence. Minutes after the equaliser, Christchurch almost had a second when a fizzing shot whistled past the post.

Christchurch completed the dramatic comeback in the 90th minute when Bradley Cherrett latched onto a cleared corner before beating three men. He lifted his head before sliding the ball into the path of Wright who finished superbly to send the Christchurch faithful wild.

After the match, Christchurch joint-manager Ollie Cherrett told the A&T: “A great result. We’re so proud of the players. We deserved the win, and I felt we were the better team all night.

“So proud and lucky to have such a special group of players – I can’t wait for the cup draw to see who we get.”

With Covid-19 causing financial burdens to many clubs, the boost of a cup run could make all the difference to non-league sides. After sealing progression, Christchurch will pocket £2,250.

In line with government guidelines, the attendance was limited to 300 spectators with many unable to enter the Hurn Bridge ground.

Christchurch: L. Gunstone-Gray, B. Cherrett, E. Ohameje, R. Frost, B. Walker, H. Wright, B. Satterley, N. Swann, A. Pope, M. Wilcock, J. Kirkham. Used subs: J. Buck, M. Finch, B. Hill.