Dorchester Town 1, Merthyr Town 2

Ryan Prosser and Eliott Richards scored Merthyr Town’s goals in a hard-fought win against Dorchester Town at the Avenue.

The Martyrs were a goal down after only 15 seconds, but showed character and spirit in fighting back with real intensity.

Manager Gavin Williams’ team are second in Southern League Premier, tucked in behind leaders Chippenham Town.

They are unbeaten at home with 11 wins and five draws from 16 fixtures at Penydarren Park and entertain Chesham United next Saturday (3pm).

Dorchester signed defender Jordan Williams from Weston-super-Mare on Friday with Northern Ireland youth international midfield playmaker Ollie Bassett returning from Yeovil Town.

Merthyr have signed former Cardiff City youth player Jaye Bowen from Cinderford Town, but his international clearance was not granted in time.

The visitors made one change to their starting line-up with Ryan Prosser replacing Corey Jenkins.

Dorchester opened in style and after only 15 seconds Ben Wood dispossessed a defender and slid the ball past goalkeeper Oliver Davies.

There was an electric atmosphere with away fans travelling in force and the Martyrs equalised five minutes later when centre-forward Prosser jumped unchallenged to head in Scott Barrow’s corner at the far post.

From that moment Merthyr had the edge and Richards was able to run clear, go past Dorchester’s goalkeeper Shane Murphy and score into an empty net after 18 minutes.

Substitute Jarrad Wright went close with a volley which flew just wide, but there was no more scoring.

Dorchester sent on subs Tom Blair, Ollie Griggs and Billy Mitchell, but Merthyr Town managed the closing stages well and earned an outstanding away win.

Magpies: Murphy, Oldring, Martin, Vance, Walker, Dillon, Jerrard, Clarke, Wood, Bassett, Williams

Subs: Blair, Griggs, Mitchell, Brookes, Ayunga

Merthyr Town: Davies, Tancock, McDonald, Barrow, Evans, Davies, Richards, Reffell, McLaggon, Prosser, Traylor. Subs: Wright, Watkins, Patten, Copp, Jenkins.