DORCHESTER Sports boss Ashley James has described the knock-on effects of Stourpaine and Sturminster Marshall withdrawing from the Dorset Senior League as “demoralising”.

Sports beat Sturminster 2-1 and Stourpaine 3-1 earlier in the season but have lost the six points gained from those wins as a result of the two sides dropping out.

James’ men, in the upper reaches of the table since the start of the season, now find themselves sixth of the 11 teams.

Sports were supposed to play Sturminster Marshall last Saturday but James was informed a few days earlier that they had withdrawn – that came after Stourpaine’s decision to do the same before Christmas.

The changes to the Dorset Senior League’s make up has had an impact on other clubs too, leaving some with as many as five games in hand on others.

“It’s demoralising really,” said James. “We put all that hard work in and have now lost those points.

“It also means that some of the lads have had goals taken away from them as well. It’s a shame to be second or third at Christmas and then drop to sixth when we haven’t even played.

“We’ve still got Witchampton (first) and Gillingham (third) to play at home, and Chickerell (second) away. If we can get results in those games then I think we could be back up there.

“We’ve got a big game against Westland on Saturday and we’ve got to get back on a good run.

James’ charges were beaten 3-0 by Dorset Premier League outfit Balti Sports in a friendly at Redlands last Saturday.

Danny Andrews (2) and Josh Burton scored for Marco Nott’s Balti side.

“Both teams needed to get some minutes and I’d like to wish Ashley and his team all the best for the rest of the season,” said Nott.