DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

SHERBORNE TOWN RES 2

DORCHESTER Sports recovered from a mid-match wobble to record a 3-2 home win over Sherborne Town Reserves in the Dorset Premier League.

Ashley James’ men were 2-0 ahead and in control before pressing the self-destruct button as two mistakes helped restore parity for the Zebras.

However, a late goal for Dan Sheehy proved sufficient for Sports to extend their winning run to three games, with the county town team suffering only one loss in seven matches.

Sports got off to a dream start when Sheehy ran through and found the top corner in the third minute.

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Darren Watts then arrowed in a stunning lob from inside his own half to double the hosts’ lead on 25 minutes.

Suddenly, a landslide win looked possible but Sports gifted the Zebras two goals before half-time as goalkeeper Nick Hutchings was caught in possession and Jamie Russo found the empty net from three yards out.

Russo doubled his and Sherborne’s tally when he latched onto Liam O’Shaughnessy’s stray pass and finished past Hutchings.

Matters could have worsened for Sports had Hutchings not denied Russo in a one-on-one.

Sherborne continued to threaten after the break but gradually Sports wrestled back control, Sheehy and Joel Hewitt well stopped by the Zebras’ keeper.

Owen Peart’s introduction also helped to inject pace into the home attack but it was a run from Watts that unlocked the Zebras’ defence for a third time, his cross slammed home by Sheehy at the back post for 3-2.

Peart missed a glorious chance to grab a goal himself after fellow sub Matt Groves was brought down for a penalty, only for Peart to rattle the post.

His miss led to late Sherborne pressure and the visitors claimed a late penalty themselves when a shot was cleared off the line by the shoulder of Rich Sands.

However, the spot-kick calls fell on deaf ears and Sports maintained their excellent form.

James told Echosport: “After 25 minutes it looked like we were going to run riot and then one mistake, they got back into the game.

“We were pretty lucky to get in at half-time at 2-2 but I thought the second-half performance was a lot better, a lot more controlled.

“We had the main chances in the second half and on chances created I think we deserved the win.

“The last league defeat was Merley back in October, so it’s been a good run of form and we want to keep it going.”

Sports travel to Raleigh Grove for the return fixture on Saturday (2pm).

Dorch Sports: Hutchings, Steele, O’Shaughnessy, Streamer, Smith, Brumble (Leake 55), Watts (Sands 84), Sheehy, Godfrey (Pratt 79), Hewitt (Groves 70), Ellis (O Peart 55).