DORCHESTER SPORTS 0

MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 1

DORCHESTER Sports slipped to a 1-0 defeat as Merley Cobham Sports recorded a second win over the county town side this season.

Merley had already beaten Ashley James’ men 2-1 in the cup with a stoppage-time winner and this encounter was equally even, while played out in the persistent rain of Storm Babet for the entire 90 minutes.

Dan Sheehy was a constant threat on the right for the hosts, who showed a glimpse of promise when Matt Groves was denied a goal against his former club by keeper Andy Knights.

Owen Reynolds came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute but Greg Taylor saved well and Knights had to be on his toes with a save from Darren Watts in the 53rd minute.

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Awwal Abubakar, who had quiet game by his standards, went close in the 56th minute and Kingsley Eze-Sunday should have opened the scoring just two minutes later with only the keeper to beat after being played in by Abubakar.

Dan Sheehy and Josh Leake were also both denied by Knights, and his saves proved priceless as the game was decided in the 65th minute.

Dan Edwards was put clear by Johnny Martin down the right and his excellent cross was headed home by Eze-Sunday coming in at the far post.

The home team had their moments with Knights saving well from a Peart free-kick and they had a late rally in the game but some desperate Cobham defending kept them at bay.

In a game riddled with poor finishing, Joel Hewitt squandered Dorchester Sports’ final chance of an equaliser in the 90th minute, failing to get a shot away after being sent through.

James told Echosport: “It was hard-fought, two teams really going for it.

“It was a really, really good game unfortunately decided by one goal against us. So, a disappointing result but the performance was decent.

“Both teams got the ball down and tried to play, end-to-end, both keepers were probably man of the match for both teams. I think a draw would’ve been a fair result.”

Bournemouth Sports away now lies in wait for Dorchester Sports on Saturday (3pm).

“Another tough away game but we have got a good record there,” James added.

“We’ve won the last couple of games there so we go there in good spirits still. I think the lads will still be in confident mood.”

Josh Pratt, Jack Steele and Nick Hutchings all return to the fold.