BLANDFORD UNITED 0

DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER Sports ended Blandford United’s unbeaten record with a hard-fought 2-0 Jewson Dorset Premier League win at Park Road.

In a game of few chances, Sports struck a decisive double blow in the opening 30 minutes.

Moments after Jamie Symes had strolled through and shot over, Sports’ talisman grabbed the first goal with a 20-yard strike from after Alex Godfrey’s pass.

Sports’ second came from a Nick Voss flick which looped up for Gareth Will to attack and head home past Royals’ keeper Ryan Park.

Blandford were restricted to crosses into the box, which were mopped up by former Poole and Dorchester custodian Nick Hutchings.

Brad Pike squandered the hosts’ best chance in the 53rd minute, firing over from a dangerous position.

READ MORE: Bournemouth Sports 5-8 Blandford United - match report

The fixture then descended into a red mist with numerous tasty tackles flying in, two of which forced Will and Sports’ teammate Jamie Samways off injured.

With five minutes to go, Sports’ defender Shaun Bessant was sent off for his retaliation to another sturdy tackle, raising his hands to an opposition player.

His dismissal did not cost the visitors as they preserved their two-goal advantage to record a fifth win from seven games this season.

Speaking to Echosport, away boss Ashley James said: “We’re delighted, an unbelievable performance from start to finish.

“We dominated and it was the perfect away performance. We got the two goals and then defended really well, a fantastic three points.

“They’re a really good side and from one to 11 they’re strong all over the pitch.

“To really dominate a game away from home like we did will give us massive confidence going into the other away games this season.

“We know we can do it now. We’ve set ourselves the standard against a very good side. We didn’t really give them a sniff. It was as much as we could’ve hoped for.”

James’ opposite number Josh Feirn – a former Dorchester Sports Reserves player – had no complaints about the result.

He said: “We went 2-0 down through two mistakes and they’re a very experienced side. They sat back and allowed us to play.

“The disappointing thing for me is that we didn’t test the keeper, not one bit.

“Our ball in the final third was lacking every time.

“Apart from a couple of shots from distance which were comfortable for their keeper and a couple of crosses, he didn’t have anything to do.

“It’s probably the easiest afternoon he’s had all season, that’s what disappoints me.

“The fact we’ve gone from Bournemouth Sports and scoring eight goals, we should be creating two or three good opportunities.

“There were a couple of through balls that Mark Ford was close to but the keeper was off his line well.”

Blandford now have four wins from five games – a statistic that leaves Feirn unruffled by the loss.

He said: “It’s not panic stations yet. They’re a good side so it’s no disgrace losing 2-0 to them.

“The only worrying thing for me is that you’re now facing two games against Ham Rec and they’re going to be even more difficult.

“You start to look and think when is the next win?”

Royals: Park, P Ford, M Johnson, S Smith, Parry, J Ford, Manson, B Pike (Hill 55), T Pike, McCarthy (Berry 75), M Ford (Baker 75).

Dorchester Sports: Hutchings, J Steele, A Gould, Hopkins, Bessant, Samways (O Peart 60), G Will (D Peart 55), Symes, Gosney, Voss, Godfrey (Quinton 70). Sub not used: M Peart.