STURMINSTER N UTD 0 Upwey & Broadwey 1

UPWEY & Broadwey kept their title hopes alive by recording a third successive victory at Sturminster Newton United in the Dorset Senior League.

The Cherries were on top for most of the first half but it was the visitors that got the vital breakthrough just before half-time when Don Wellman’s perfectly-lofted free-kick was headed in at the far post by fellow centre-back Phil Anderson.

Upwey then dominated the second period with Pete Bochonko, Ben Porteous, Sam Nichols and Charlie Kenderdine all missing chances and the referee denying them a stonewall penalty when the latter appeared to be pole-axed in the box.

With such a slender lead there was always a chance United might snatch an equaliser on the break and they came close twice, only to be denied by fine saves from Pete Cowne.

The result has left Upwey just one point adrift of leaders Wareham Rangers with a game in hand but with Portland United Reserves, Kingston Lacy and Witchampton United also in the hunt, boss Steve Reynolds knows his side must keep winning.

He said: “The table is not looking much different to what it was a week ago.

“It is still really tight and in order for us to win it, we must win our remaining two games.

“If we do that then it appears the only way we would end up losing it is on goal difference to Kingston Lacy but there are still more twists and turns ahead, I have no doubts about that.

“We didn’t get going in the first half at Stur and scored very much against the run of play but in the second we played some neat football and really should have made things a lot more comfortable for ourselves.

“We missed several opportunities and also had a penalty turned down, and on another day it might have cost us but thankfully Pete came to the rescue with a couple of good saves.”

Reynolds also felt Stur should have been reduced to 10 men, he added: “The referee made some bizarre decisions in the second half.

“Phil Anderson was floored by one of their lads whilst attempting a header but nothing was given and then Pete Bochonko went through and was brought down on the edge of the box by their keeper, who somehow escaped with just a yellow card.

“Then, to top it all off, Charlie Kenderdine was clearly taken out in the box but again the referee didn’t give anything and just let play go on.

“It was quite unbelievable really but thankfully those decisions did not change the final outcome.”

Upwey travel to Portland on Satur-day before completing their campaign with a home clash against Witchampton at Redlands on April 21.

Upwey: Cowne, Porteous, Pearce, Well-man, Anderson, Nichols, Stewart, Frost, Kenderdine, Devaney, Bochonko (Young 70). Subs not used: Samways, Purnell, Clark.