It has been a productive weekend for Staines Town FC, and for striker Marc Charles-Smith in particular, as Swans have risen to sixth spot in the Blue Square Conference table.

On Saturday, Staines made the long trip to Dorset for a first ever visit to Dorchester Town. Steve Cordery’s side is still plagued by injuries, with four front rank players all missing including both full backs, Simon Jackson and Dominic Sterling, who have a broken hand and dislocated shoulder respectively.

Also out is top scorer Ali Chaaban, and midfield general Gareth Risbridger, both with knee problems.

But faced with a Dorchester side, who were fresh after a 3 week enforced lay-off, and were taking the field for the first time under new caretaker manager Ashley Vickers.

Staines started slowly in a rather scrappy first half, but went close with a Howard Newton header that just flashed wide.

But Dorchester were rattled by a Staines goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half, as Newton pulled a low ball back after darting down the right flank, and Charles-Smith was on hand to steer the ball into the bottom corner. There was barely time for the restart before Mr Whalley sounded the half-time whistle.

The two Maz’s combined early in the second half and almost made it 2-0: Mazin Ahmad’s cross being headed just wide by Marien Ifura.

But in the 63rd minute, another Ahmad pass this time brought rewards, as Charles-Smith controlled superbly before taking the ball round ‘keeper Simon Evans and stroking home his second.

Staines were then caught out by a sucker punch just 60 seconds later, Nick Crittenden getting his head to a left sided cross to reduce the arrears.

And it was Crittenden who squared things up in the 70th, in a carbon copy of the goal at the other end. There were chances at each end in the remaining minutes, but Staines could not be too disappointed with a point from a tricky away fixture.

Just two days later Swans were in action again – again away from home, but this time against a team challenging for promotion.

Their record at Chelmsford City’s Melbourne Park is poor, and it was with some trepidation that their fans braved the chilly conditions and a large home crowd in a bid for points this time.

The playing surface was somewhat treacherous, as athletic grounds are wont to be, and beither side could really get into the stride for long spells.

The first half was disjointed, but Darty Brown carved out a good early chance for the visitors: the two Charlton youngsters were back in the side for this game and it was Tamer Tuna who almost converted a good pass by Darty Brown.

But Staines had to work hard at the back, with Louis Wells and Ifura combining bravely to deny Lewis Smith. Marlow Patterson, who was with Staines in pre-season and had been impressing for The Clarets, picked up a silly caution for kicking the ball away in the first half, and when he went in late on Newton early in the second, referee Atkin (the second in succession from Plymouth) had no option but to show him the red card.

This gave Staines a real boost, and in the 67th minute they turned their numerical advantage into a goal, when Charles-Smith crisply volleyed in after receiving a throw-in from André Scarlett.

The game really opened out in the last 20 minutes, as Matthew Lock and Anthony Cook squandered good chances for City, whilst Steve Clark made a superb tackle to deny Scarlett, and sub Scott Taylor had an injury time shot well saved by Ashley Harrison.

Att 844.

Staines V Dorchester: Wells, Kamara, D Thomas, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, D Brown, Charles-Smith, Griffiths, Ahmad. Unused Taylor, Arthur, Lee, King, Phillips.

V Chelmsford: Wells, Mambo, Kamara, Gordon ©, Ifura, Scarlett, Newton, D Brown, Griffiths, Tuna, Charles-Smith; Unused Thomas, Taylor, King, ArthurAhmad.