SHERBORNE TOWN RESERVES 2

DORCHESTER SPORTS 0

DORCHESTER Sports crashed out of the Dorset Senior Trophy in the first round as Sherborne Town Town Reserves claimed a 2-0 victory at Raleigh Grove.

Sports’ boss Ashley James had locked the crosshairs on a deep cup run this season, but the county town side’s hopes of silverware were dashed by the Zebras.

In midweek Sports lost Alfie Toland and Joel Hewitt to Portland United.

Below-par in the first half, Sports never recovered as they slipped to a third straight defeat in all competitions.

Sports rued their luck in the eighth minute when Ash Smith’s deflected strike crashed against the post.

That slice of misfortune proved costly as the Zebras scored three minutes later, Jake Wolfe running onto a cross from the right channel and blasting home for 1-0.

Sports searched for a route back into the contest but instead produced an unusually lethargic display as Sherborne led at the interval.

James’ men improved after the half-time oranges and were incensed by an offside call as striker Jamie West finished past home keeper Joshua Attwood.

Sherborne again stuck the dagger in with a second goal in the 65th minute, Elliot Mann netting a deflected strike just when Sports were bossing the game.

Attwood was on hand to twice deny West but Sherborne saw out the game to book a second-round tie at home to Gillingham Town.

On the pivotal disallowed goal, James told Echosport: “It was dubious to say the least, it could’ve got us back at 1-1. It was a good finish and would’ve changed the whole complexion of the game.

“We were really on top of the game and then they scored from a deflection. It’s happened three times now where a deflection’s ended up in the back of our net.

“That was how it panned out. The deflected goal killed us off and there was no coming back.”

He added: “It wasn’t good enough, not enough intensity first half. We were sluggish all over the pitch.

“There was not enough intensity either with or without the ball. It got better second half when we were on top but the second goal – there was no way back into the game.

“They saw the game out pretty well. We had a few half-chances, the keeper made a few good saves, but nothing clear cut.

“The first-half performance wasn’t good enough and we paid the price. It’s hard to take.”

Sports host Sturminster Newton Reserves on Saturday in a return to Dorset Premier League action (3pm).

Sports: Turner, Smith, Symes, Anstey, A Gould, G Will (Rawlings 60), Gosney (Stafie 60), Watts, Samways (J Steele 65), Godfrey, J West.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830999

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil