SHERBORNE TOWN RES 0

DORCHESTER SPORTS 4

DORCHESTER Sports are one victory away from securing sixth place in the Dorset Premier League following a 4-0 win at Sherborne Town Reserves.

Ashley James’ men must beat title-chasing Blandford United away this evening (6.30pm) to leapfrog Portland United Reserves on goal difference.

Sports’ second win in three games came after weathering a strong start by Sherborne, with the Zebras galloping out of the traps.

Once Sports worked themselves in the game, they never looked back and took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute thanks to Toby Kelly’s first senior goal for the club.

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Joel Hewitt and Todd Coombs were both involved in the build-up, finding Owen Peart who crossed for Kelly to score at the back post.

Hewitt doubled Sports’ advantage on 14 minutes, Peart grabbing his second assist as Hewitt nodded home.

Sports did not have it all their own way as keeper Nick Hutchings had to save a one-on-one.

Peart was denied a goal of his own for 3-0, seeing a penalty saved by the Zebras’ goalkeeper on 30 minutes.

But Sports did grab a third before the break, dispossessing Sherborne in their own box before completing the formality of scoring.

After the break, Hewitt collected a raking diagonal ball from Darren Watts before cutting inside and firing beyond the keeper for 4-0.

Other chances came and went for Sports as Billy Brumble fired over from distance, while Hewitt and Kelly were denied by timely blocks.

Lyes Selama blasted over and Alex Godfrey had a shot cleared off the line after rounding the keeper, but the missed opportunities counted for little as Sports wrapped up the three points.

Coach Simon Linard said: “It was nice to win because we’ve slipped up against Bridport and Poole Borough.

“Sherborne are down the bottom as well, so we needed to win. We were good, it was a strong performance. Everybody was focused this week.

“We were all disappointed by the Bridport defeat, we made a couple of changes and everyone did their bit.”

Looking ahead to Blandford away tonight, James told Echosport that his side would not be sucked into being cast as ‘party poopers’ with the Royals chasing the title.

He said: “It’s an interesting last game, all we can do is go there and treat it as a normal game. I don’t think it’s going to be like that for Blandford.

“We’re going to concentrate on ourselves and be the best we can. We’ve got to finish on a high, forget what their ambitions are.

“If we get involved in that and the crowd, it’ll be harder for us.”

Nick Hutchings and Darren Watts are unavailable, while Sam Duncalf and Elliott Browne return.

Dorch Sports: Hutchings, J Steele, O’Shaughnessy, Streamer, Coombs, Watts, Brumble (McFetridge 82), Kelly (Sheehy 73), Hewitt (Ellis 60), O Peart (Selama 60), Godfrey.