TISBURY UNITED 1

DORCHESTER SPORTS 4

DORCHESTER Sports overcame a spirited performance from Tisbury United to win 4-1, advancing into the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Senior Trophy second round.

Tisbury, of the Dorset Senior League, caused problems for Sports until the visitors, who play one tier higher in the Dorset Premier League, pulled clear.

The Sharks lived up to their name in the opening exchanges as James Weeks missed a clear chance, and Owen Peart needed to make a last-ditch tackle to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.

At the other end, Matt Groves teed up Joel Hewitt whose effort was saved by keeper Ben Eastmond.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports 2-1 Balti Sports - report

Sports then fortuitously took the lead as a deflected shot from Dylan Ellis flew past keeper Ben Eastmond for 1-0.

The visitors went in search of a second goal before half-time but Alex Godfrey saw his attempt pushed clear by Eastmond after Hewitt’s pass.

Three quick goals in the second half then put paid to any hopes Tisbury had of a recovery, Ellis beginning the flurry by cutting inside from the left before blasting home for his second.

Tisbury later appealed strongly for a handball inside the area but were turned down before Peart added a third, tucking home a neat finish after a messy scramble on the edge of the box.

Sports’ sub Dan Sheehy applied the finishing touch for 4-0 on 65 minutes and Eastmond was needed to further restrict the scoreline, tipping a Josh Pratt shot over the bar.

Eastmond also denied Sheehy and Godfrey but Tisbury ended on a high when Chazzy Browne looped a header over away keeper Nick Hutchings for a consolation goal on his debut.

Sports’ boss Ashley James told Echosport: “They gave a good account of themselves, we went 1-0 up at half-time but first half we did have a few chances.

“If they put them away it could’ve been a different game but in the second half we stamped our authority and won the game pretty convincingly.

“They definitely gave it a good go, so fair play to them. It wasn’t an easy game at all, one we’re glad we’ve won.

“We went full-strength regarding the players we had. It was pleasing to finally get everybody out there without missing anyone from the previous week.”

James also gave an update on Hutchings, who was a doubt following a hefty collision with Derek Wall in the 2-1 win over Balti.

James added: “Nick was fine, he let us know quite early on Thursday morning that he was fit, so that was all good.”

Elsewhere, Sports reserve team lost 9-1 at Allendale in the Senior League.

Sports: Hutchings, Pratt, Sands, Coombs, O’Shaughnessy, Watts, O Peart (Browne 80), Hewitt (Brumble 60), Ellis (Steele 60), Godfrey, Groves (Sheehy 60).