SHAFTESBURY TOWN RES 1

DORCHESTER SPORTS 5

DORCHESTER Sports claimed their 10th victory in all competitions this season with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Shaftesbury Town Reserves.

Sports’ victory was one of their most accomplished of the Jewson Dorset Premier League campaign.

Wary of being punished in wide areas, Sports assembled new tactics to add defensive strength on the wings.

Debutant Liam O’Shaughnessy and Billy Brumble were deployed further up the pitch and the visitors took just nine minutes to open the scoring.

Centre-back Shaun Bessant rose highest at a corner to head home and there was a debut goal from O’Shaughnessy, firing home in the 35th minute for 2-0.

Sports continued to dominate after the break when Alex Godfrey netted on the hour before subs Nick Voss and Charlie Gosney added late gloss to the scoreline.

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However, the only blemish on the away side’s copybook came when Jason Beal’s header ricocheted off a defender and past Nick Hutchings in goal.

Sports are now nine points off leaders Hamworthy Rec in top spot with a game in hand.

Speaking to Echosport after a win which consolidates Sports’ fifth position, boss Ashley James hailed the near-complete performance.

He said: “We always had a feeling that Ham Rec and Sturminster would drop points against each other. It was a massive win for us to gain a couple of points on them both.

“Back in the hunt, it was vital that we won and we did it in style. A fantastic performance from start to finish and I couldn’t be any happier.

“When we’re bringing on subs like Nick, Charlie and Jamie Quinton near the end we knew we were going to get stronger.

“I felt we’ve been a bit attacking away from home in the games we’ve lost, so we’ve set up a bit more defensive with Liam and Billy out wide.

“We brought on the three attacking players second half and knew we were going to get stronger as the game went on.

“Two of them got goals so it all worked out pretty well in the end.”

On O’Shaughnessy’s display – his first since joining from rivals Balti Sports – James added: “We played him slightly higher than he’s used to. We wanted protection in front of our full-backs.

“He took his goal really well. We’ve brought him in as a left-back but we now know he can play left midfield as well. It’s another position he’s added.

“He looked a bit surprised when I asked him but to get a goal on his debut I’ll bet he’s absolutely delighted. As debuts go I don’t think he can be any happier.”

Sports: Hutchings, A Gould, J Steele, Bessant, Hankin, Samways, Watts, O’Shaughnessy (Quinton 70), Godfrey, Brumble (Voss 35), G Will (Gosney 60).