BLANDFORD UNITED 2

DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

TEN-MAN Blandford United stunned Dorchester Sports as Taylor Pike’s late double gave the Royals all three points in a memorable victory.

Trailing 1-0 and with Elliot Manson sent off, Blandford winger Pike almost single-handedly upset the odds with two goals in six minutes, sending Sports crashing to a painful defeat.

Ashley James’ men will wonder how they lost this match, particularly after dominating the opening exchanges.

Striker Jamie West cut inside and blasted at keeper Mark Ford, before Gareth Will slotted wide from a big one-on-one chance.

With Blandford having weathered the storm and preserved parity going into half-time, chances were squandered by both teams in the second half.

However, a poor lunging challenge from Elliot Manson on Jamie Samways resulted in the Blandford star receiving his marching orders in the 55th minute.

Sports compounded the situation for the Royals as Charlie Gosney’s corner was headed in off the lurking West by Adam Anstey.

Sports looked set to win until Pike conjured a goal from nothing, ghosting past two covering defenders and firing low past Antony Frost in the Sports’ goal.

In the 88th minute, Park Road was sent into ecstasy as Pike stormed at Sports’ defence before unleashing a powerful shot that deflected past the helpless Frost.

Blandford held firm amid late pressure to record a win that shocked their opponents.

Speaking to Echosport, Blandford manager Jamie Haylock was delighted by a pulsating triumph.

He said: “Taylor, just like a switch, turned and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and did it all on his own. He’s 19 years old, banging the goals in and playing well.

“I was surprised by Dorchester’s tactics because they were more open when we had 10 men and they were 1-0 up than they were the whole game.

“I don’t know if they tried to push for the second or lacked concentration, but for the last 10 minutes we gave our all.

“We had a large crowd at the Rec and it definitely spurred the boys on. To get (winner) was just brilliant.”

Haylock had asked to see a reaction from his Royals squad following the 2-1 loss to Sherborne Reserves last time out.

He said: “Although we didn’t play particularly well in the first half we were solid and had more fight in us.

“We were better defensively and that managed to ride Dorchester’s wave. I’m much happier with the lads’ effort compared to Sherborne.

“Dorchester have brought some big signings in but the boys were up for it. We fought our way into the game and just kept going.

“A 2-1 win against a top Dorchester Sports side? You can’t ask for much more.”

Meanwhile, visiting boss James cut a dejected figure post-match.

He said: “I’m shocked, devastated, frustrated, bemused – I could keep going.

“It’s not a nice feeling. We’ve only got ourselves to blame, played well for 80 minutes and terrible for 10.

“We got punished for it. You can’t do that in this league against these teams away from home.

“We were so comfortable, had all the chances and dominated possession. They lost a man, we got the goal and all we had to do was see it out.

“We exploded. I can’t really explain why, it just happened.

“Fair play to them, they found an extra gear and got the two goals. We worked ever so hard for 80 minutes and chucked it away.

“In the last five minutes they looked like the only team that was going to nick the win.

“We looked demoralised and you could tell it was coming. It took a couple of deflections on the way in. It was heartbreaking.”

Royals: M Ford, P Ford, Rimmer, Johnson, Parry, Smith, E Manson, B Pike (Watson 60), T Pike, McCarthy (R Manson 75), J Ford (Hill 60).

Sports: Frost, A Gould, Anstey, Symes, Sibley, Samways (Gosney 70), Watts, G Will (B Thomas 75), West, Rawlings (Hewitt 55), Godfrey

Elsewhere in the Dorset Premier League, Westland Sports maintained their perfect record with a 5-0 victory over Wareham Rangers, sub Nick Voss scoring a brace.

Bournemouth Sports thrashed Holt United 5-1 as James Bergin and Callum Lee both hit doubles.

Merley Cobham Sports also recorded their third win from three games.

Asa Phillips hit a brace to help Merley to a 2-1 victory over Shaftesbury Town Reserves.

Blandford are now fourth, while Dorchester Sports are in ninth.