DORCHESTER SPORTS RES 3

BEAMINSTER 1

Match abandoned

DORCHESTER Sports Reserves served up the perfect remedy to last week’s 5-2 defeat to Stalbridge with a 3-1 scoreline over Beaminster in a Dorset Senior League match which was eventually abandoned.

Shooting with the wind first, Sports enjoyed the majority of the play in the Rainbows’ half, carving the defence open at will. Rich Beasley’s men created a number of good chances early on but failed to convert.

Top scorer Josh Leake struck a post from distance with a fine strike before Matt West and Billy Brumble missed good chances.

However, the breakthrough duly arrived on 20 minutes through West, with the mercurial Leake the architect.

His silky run and cross set up Brumble for an easy finish but the striker failed beat the keeper from close range, leaving West to power home the rebound and give Sports the lead at the break.

Mother Nature played her part as the sides switched ends and it was Beaminster who now enjoyed some attacking freedom only for Sports’ defence to hold firm.

Beaminster did manage to level on 60 minutes through former Bridport forward Callan Strelley, who shot directly from a corner to deceive Carl Hopkins in the home net and set up a firecracker of a finale.

As both sides pushed for the win, it was Sports who were looking the most likely to register again.

Smart play in the penalty area from Brumble drew a clumsy challenge that resulted in Sports being awarded a spot-kick.

Leake stepped up and dispatched the dead ball much to the delight of the home fans to re-establish the Sports’ lead.

With five minutes to go Sports sealed the win via seasoned midfield talisman Steve Churchill.

After running onto a headed clearance, he controlled on the edge of the box and nonchalantly rifled into the bottom corner.

At 3-1 and with 85 minutes gone, the match was abandoned pending an FA investigation.

Sports will be looking to build on the performance as they host Westland Sports Reserves on Saturday (3pm).

Sports: Hopkins, Lamb, Harrington, Thomas, Hickman (Cox), Wash, Quinton (Moore), Churchill, West (Ackerman), Bramley, Leake. Sub not used: Trent