BLANDFORD UNITED 1

DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER Sports finally broke a seven-game winless run with a dramatic late comeback in their 2-1 victory at Blandford United in the Dorset Premier League.

Sports had not picked up all three points since a 3-0 triumph over lowly Sturminster Newton United on December 1.

Looking to correct that long drought, during which Ashley James’ men collected just two points, the visitors made a bright start.

Jamie Rawlings and Jamie Quinton both had opportunities in the Royals’ penalty area in the opening exchanges before Blandford took the lead in the 34th minute.

A Blandford corner caused uncertainty in the Sports’ box and the ball squirted out for Danny Rogers to poke the ball past goalkeeper Antony Frost.

James switched Jamie Samways for Will Turland 10 minutes after the break and the forward’s introduction proved decisive.

In a near mirror situation to Blandford’s goal, Turland was this time the beneficiary as he pounced on 75 minutes to equalise.

Five minutes later, a moment of brilliance from Turland handed Sports the victory as the striker looped a header from Paul Hill’s cross over the stricken home gloveman.

Sports had to withstand heavy pressure in the latter stages but held firm to register a big win.

Speaking to Echosport, James admitted his side was “buzzing” after securing a much-needed three points that see the Dorchester outfit remain in ninth.

He said: “It proved that we haven’t given up. It’s the best way to win, being behind with 15 minutes to go and still battling to try and win the game and get two late goals.

“All the lads were buzzing after the game. We knew that performance was there, we just needed a bit of luck. It was a great performance and a massive win.

“The whole game was end-to-end, it was great. Both goalkeepers made some good saves and both defences were pretty solid but we created more.

“We had a few good chances in the firs half but didn’t really test their keeper.

“We had a lot of the ball (in the first half) but somehow went in one-nil down.

“(Rawlings and Quinton) were causing them a lot of problems and we knew that if we kept doing that second half we would finally break them down. It’s nice that we did.”

Sports host Swanage Town & Herston on Saturday (2pm) after the Swans beat Portland United Reserves 5-3.

Sports: Frost, P Thomas, A Gould, Gatehouse, Amor, Samways (Turland 55), Will, Rawlings, Quinton (Ross 60), Rawlings, Hill.

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