DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER Sports upset the odds to end Merley Cobham Sports’ incredible 43-game winning streak with a tense 3-2 victory at the Avenue Stadium.

Merley had won all seven of their Jewson Dorset Premier League games until this clash, which saw Jamie Symes convert a 29th-minute penalty for 1-0.

Merley equalised with a Steve Gilbert header on the stroke of half-time, finishing off Elliot Rossiter’s fine cross.

Alex Godfrey put the hosts back in front with a stunning finish on the angle before sub Billy Brumble’s rasping 18-yard drive left Merley keeper Chris Trim with no chance.

Merley chased goals in the closing stages and halved their deficit when Ellis Goerge headed home.

Sports’ keeper Matt Peart was in inspired form to withstand a late Merley onslaught as the hosts survived eight added minutes to break Merley’s sequence of wins.

READ MORE: Blandford United 0-2 Dorchester Sports - match report

Speaking to Echosport, manager Ashley James said: “It was a fantastic performance from start to finish. It was one of those nights.

“We were on top of our game and we knew if we could we’d have a chance. To actually do that was fantastic.

“We could’ve put the game to bed but in the end the ref added on eight minutes – it was the longest eight minutes ever!

“They must’ve had five free-kicks and five corners in that time. Somehow, Matt made two unbelievable saves at the end to deny them a point.

“It was backs to the wall but we managed to hold on.”

Sports: M Peart, Smith (Quinton 55), Hankin, Hopkins, J Steele, Symes, Watts, Gosney (Brumble 46), Godfrey, Voss (Samways 85), Will.