BLANDFORD UNITED 8 STURMINSTER MARSHALL 0

MARK Ford was in the goals once again for Blandford United as they put bottom club Sturminster Marshall to the sword at Park Road.

The former Weymouth sharpshooter hit the back of the net no fewer than four times during the contest, with Bradley Asagba’s Royals producing a clinical display against a Sturminster Marshall outfit that have only won four of their 30 league fixtures this term.

In what was a local derby between the two teams, the home side were awarded an early penalty which ex-Terra Ashley Ayley saw saved by the keeper, before the former missed the rebound.

But Ayley was not to be denied as he struck first and then Ford opened his account for the afternoon as Blandford took a two-goal lead into the break.

Asagba wanted more from his men following the interval and, after some strong words from the Blandford chief at half-time, he soon got it, and Ford was at the forefront of a lethal Royals’ strike force.

He added three more to his tally in a rampant second-half spell for the hosts, brother Paul Ford also found the net, Ayley grabbed another, and Henry Akinsuyi completed the rout.

Asagba, who still believed his squad was capable of much more on the day, said: “Anyone who saw our first-half performance would never have imagined the game could finish 8-0.

“We were our own worst enemies in the first half but, credit to the group, we had a conversation at half-time and the second half was much better.

“We played with a bit more tempo, imagination and conviction, and the second-half performance was more in line with how I expect us to acquit ourselves.

“To be honest, despite how the afternoon panned out, we scored some good goals, inflicting what I believe to be Sturminster Marshall’s second heaviest defeat of the season, and kept a clean sheet without really going through the gears.

“But make no mistake, we will need to be much better against Wareham next weekend.”

The victory gave Blandford their 12th win of the campaign and they now sit just four points outside the top 10 in the Dorset Premier League.

Mark Ford, who Weymouth boss Jason Matthews ruled out re-signing for the Terras this week, has now racked up a total of 14 goals in five games.

Meanwhile, Dorchester defender Craig Michie also started the victory for the Royals.

Royals: Dickinson, Oliver, Michie, Boulton (Reeves), P Ford, Vater (Holland), Manson, Jones, Pidgley (Akinsuyi), Ayley, M Ford.