HOLT UNITED 3

DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER Sports narrowly lost 3-2 to reigning Dorset Premier League champions Holt United as the Bulls charged back from behind to take the three points.

Holt had lost 5-2 to Hamworthy United Reserves in midweek in what was a rare home defeat, the Hammers leaping above them in the table.

And Sports inflicted further pain on Holt when Dan Sheehy pounced at the back post to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Holt’s response to going behind was typical of champions as Corey Elwick, linked with Portland in the summer, swept home Scott Bungay’s pass to equalise.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports 4-1 Bridport Reserves - report

Sports were back in front after half-time, though, as Carl Edwards finished a flowing move on the left for 2-1.

Sheehy missed a chance for 3-1 thanks to a heavy touch but Ashley James’ men held on until the 80th minute when Elwick turned provider for Ali Garard who diverted his cross past keeper Nick Hutchings.

With one minute to go, Elwick then netted the winner as his deflected strike flew over Hutchings to the Bulls’ delight.

Speaking to Echosport, James said: “I thought it was a really good effort from the lads, we gave everything for 75 minutes.

“Unfortunately, we just ran out of legs. Fair play to them, they put on a lot of pressure and we couldn’t get the third goal to kill it off.

“Maybe we scored our two goals too early in each half. On another day, we come away with at least a point.

“It’s just unfortunate the deflection took it over Hutch and we leave with nothing, it’s a disappointing result.

“We’ve lost two games, one with an own goal at Portland and one with a deflection.

“There have been some good performances so we’re certainly not down about it. We’ve had a tricky start to the season but levels have been decent.”

Sports: Hutchings, Brumble, Radivojsa, Taylor (Tennant 75), O’Shaughnessy, Coombs (Browne 80), O Peart (Read 75), Camp (Ellis 70), Sheehy (Sands 70), Edwards, Godfrey.