POOLE BOROUGH 1

BLANDFORD UNITED 3

TWO goals from maestro Steve Smith propelled unbeaten Dorset Premier League leaders Blandford United to a 3-1 victory over Poole Borough at Turlin Moor.

Former Poole Town striker Smith handed Blandford the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute, sending Hornets’ keeper Harry Foden the wrong way.

Joe Kempster missed a close-range header for 2-0 from a matter of yards out and was then denied by Foden before Hornets’ star striker Daniele Mirto somehow missed a golden chance to equalise with a diving header.

Borough had Foden to thank again for repelling Elliot Manson but Blandford eventually managed to double their lead, Smith powerfully heading Kempster’s corner in off the post in the 35th minute.

READ MORE: Blandford United 19-1 Sturminster Marshall - report

And Blandford made it 3-0 in the first minute of the second half as the unfortunate Foden miscued a punch into his own net from Tyler Rutten’s corner.

Not even an injury to keeper Sam Pike could trouble the Royals as Ford, no stranger to donning the gloves, went in goal for the final 37 minutes.

Blandford pushed for a fourth as George Coleman was twice kept out by Foden, who also thwarted Ryan Horwood.

However, the hosts did grab a deserved consolation when Mirto raced through and beat Ford in the 72nd minute.

Ford had to be alert to prevent a second four minutes from time and, as Poole poured forward, the luckless Coleman saw two more efforts saved by Foden as Blandford were forced to settle for three goals and a 17th league win of the season.

The Royals next visit Merley on Saturday (2pm).

Royals: S Pike (McCarthy 53), Smith, Laird, Parry, John (R Stanley 59), J Ford (Coleman 46), Horwood, Rutten, Manson (Hall 59), Kempster (Dixon 70), M Ford.