WINCANTON RESERVES 3 WEYMOUTH SPARTANS 0

TONY Cunningham grabbed a hat-trick as the Spartans fell to a disappointing defeat against a well-drilled Wincanton side.

The visitors started brightly, but soon got caught on the break from one of their own free-kicks, allowing Cunningham to steer home the opener in the early exchanges.

After that, the Spartans’ passing game fell apart and, on the half hour, they found themselves two behind.

This time, Wincanton broke upfield after defending a corner and, once again, it was Cunningham that did the damage with a fine header.

A great double save from Clint Coltart then kept the Spartans in it before Marcus Simpson went through at the other end but could only shoot straight at the home keeper.

After the break, the away side laid siege on to the Wincanton goal but, after missing a couple of chances and seeing an Aarron Williams header ruled out for offside, they then conceded a third.

Once again, the Spartans got caught on the counter-attack and that man Cunningham made them pay with a delightful chip over Coltart.

Player-manager Kieron Howes said: “It was a really frustrating afternoon.

“They were well drilled but even though our game was really bitty, we had enough chances to get something.

“We didn’t help ourselves though. We had two key players pull out in the run up to the game and then Grant Chance (pictured) pulled his groin in the warm up.

“That caused us to change the team three or four times and, in the end, the selection was probably wrong, which was the most annoying thing.”

The Spartans remain second in Dorset League Division One, three points adrift of local rivals Balti House, having played one game more.

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