STURMINSTER NEWTON UNITED 4

DORCHESTER SPORTS 0

STURMINSTER Newton United continued their pursuit of the Dorset Premier League title with a 4-0 win at the expense of Dorchester Sports at Barnetts Field.

In beating Sports, the Cherries completed the double over Ashley James’ men, having beaten them 2-0 the previous Saturday.

Most of the damage was done in the first half, as Sports struggled to contain their hosts in wide areas, conceding three goals.

But that was only after Dan Sheehy spurned two excellent opportunities to open the scoring.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports 0-2 Sturminster Newton United - report

His first opening came when Jack Steele played him through one-on-one, only to place his effort wide of Theo Crane’s goal.

Sheehy then missed the target with the goal at his mercy after a run and cross from Dylan Ellis.

Sheehy went off injured after 25 minutes, replaced by Josh Leake, before Stur took the lead from a contentious free-kick as Nick Thomson found the back of the net.

Sports never recovered as Ashley Clarke and Nick Hewlett made it 3-0 before half-time, with the visitors complaining of offside in the build-up to both goals.

And Sports failed to trouble a rock-solid Cherries defence in the second half, with the hosts duly making it 4-0 through Neil Sweatman, although Sports’ Callum Streamer got the final touch.

James told Echosport: “We’ve had a tough couple of games back-to-back against them.

“They’re a good side, they’re big, physical and direct. They’re good at what they do and unfortunately we weren’t good enough in the two games to stop them from doing what they’re good at.

“We weren’t able to score, so it’s a big lesson and learning curve for our young side. They know that’s the standard if we want to be in the top four.

“The group’s still together, so we’ve got to dust ourselves down. We’ve got teams in and around us in the next couple of weeks we’ve got to pick up points against.

“These three games we want to get back to winning ways as soon as we can but it’s been a very tough week.”

James added: “The first 20-25 minutes we were the better team and had the better chances through Dan.

“Then, unfortunately Dan got injured. He was looking a real threat and they got a goal from a dubious free-kick.

“Their next two goals looked offside and somehow we’ve found ourselves 3-0 down at half-time wondering how, but we were.

“The second half’s just a tough ask. They’re never going to concede three goals at home if they’re 3-0 up. It was a difficult afternoon.”

Sports host Swanage Town & Herston on Saturday (3pm).

Sports: Hutchings, Smith (Magee 65), Streamer, Browne, O’Shaughnessy, Steele, Peart, Godfrey, Ellis, Hewitt (Brumble 65), Sheehy (Leake 25).