Dorchester Town reach seven wins in a row as Southern League perfect records are tested

Dorchester Town have now strung together seven consecutive league wins. The latest came at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday, a 1-0 win that, according to the club, sent the Magpies top of Division One South. Ilya Ihnatenko scored the only goal, his first for the club, with his first touch moments after coming on.

Glenn Howes was candid afterwards. "Supermarine were unbelievably tough opponents and asked a number of questions with their direct approach," he said. "Ironically, it's the most our box has been bombarded from all angles, but I'm so pleased on how we defended and repelled their attacks." It followed a 3-1 win at Bideford on Tuesday, where Ethan Taylor scored twice and captain Ollie Haste once. Coach Jason Brookes said the squad's balance mattered with a heavy October schedule ahead.

Supermarine arrived in that position having lost on Tuesday, when Westbury United beat them 3-0 at Meadow Lane after Joe Shepherd was sent off on 14 minutes. Westbury followed with a 2-1 win over Exmouth Town on Saturday, Leighton Thomas scoring both after Matt Wright had put the visitors ahead. It was Exmouth's third successive league defeat.

In Division One Central, Didcot Town made it seven wins from seven with a 4-1 victory over Milton Keynes Irish. Jenson Wright scored twice and Adam Learoyd and Felix Robertson once each. The run ended on Saturday, when they drew 1-1 at Waltham Abbey.

Bishops Cleeve beat Melksham Town 3-0 on Saturday, with goals from Aaron Evans-Harriott, Jamal Lawrence and Adulai Sambu, for a fourth successive league clean sheet. Both sides finished with a red card. On Tuesday, Worcester Raiders beat them 2-1 at Kayte Lane, Stanley Asomugha scoring after 16 seconds.

Hungerford Town beat Sporting Club Inkberrow 2-1 to stay unbeaten in six, Ackeem Stewart and Nmams Nwackuku scoring, before a 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Uxbridge. At Flackwell Heath, Welwyn Garden City trailed 2-1 going into stoppage time and won 3-2 through Ethan Rookard and Tyreece Robertson, with both sides finishing with ten men.