MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

DORCHESTER Sports exited the Dorset Premier League Cup at the second round stage as old adversaries Merley Cobham Sports claimed a 2-1 victory, writes Ian Gilmartin.

In a scrappy game which belied both of these teams’ usual standards, a moment of sheer class in the 10th minute by Awwal Abubakar put the home side ahead.

He seized on a poor clearance and hit an unstoppable left-footed drive on the run from 15 yards on the angle which nestled in the far corner of the net, giving away keeper Nick Hutchings no chance.

Just four minutes later another fierce drive, this time from Dan Brown, struck the far post with Hutchings beaten, the rebound was picked up by Callum Perry but he dragged his shot wide.

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Dorchester Sports had their moments and probably created the better chances through some debatable defending at times but they were kept at bay by the assured Jason Collins in the Cobham goal and also some inept finishing.

The flashpoint of the game occurred in the 42nd minute when Brown was crudely tackled from behind on halfway by a Dorchester defender.

In the resulting melee, Cobham skipper Perry was harshly red carded for pushing a player away.

Manager Johny Bines brought Ellis George on at the start of the second half as ten-man Cobham had to reshape, but it was Dorchester that were taking the game to Cobham now with their man advantage.

Owen Peart was causing problems picking the ball up deep and running at the Cobham backline.

Dorchester were finding some success with the long ball and they got themselves back in the game with a penalty in the 54th minute.

Merley’s backline failed to deal with a situation and Collins tangled with Peart to concede a penalty, Peart dusting himself off and slotting home the kick to tie the game up.

With the game now very much end-to-end, Abubakar went close in the 57th minute and maybe should have squared to ball rather than shooting into the side netting and Dorchester had their chances at the other end but again, inept finishing and some desperate defending kept them out.

Ten-man Cobham then won a penalty in the 75th minute when a defender was adjudged to have handled but Jamie Kemp’s kick was too close to keeper Hutchings who saved with his feet.

And the tie was won in the second minute of added on time when, after some neat football, the ball fell to sub James Cherrett who crossed to the far post.

Fellow sub Owen Reynolds headed the ball across goal and Dan Edwards coolly poked the ball into the net to move Cobham into the next round.