GILLINGHAM TOWN RES 0

DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

DORCHESTER Sports boss Ashley James admitted his side’s beginning to life in the Dorset Premier League has been a “dream start”.

Jamie Symes’ sixth goal of the season earned the county town outfit all three points at Hardings Lane against Gillingham Town Reserves on Saturday, making it six wins out of nine for James’ troops.

The manager told Echosport: “It’s been a dream start really, we couldn’t have wished for anything better. We knew it was going to be a massive step up.

“The main difference in this league is that the other teams are just clinical. If you made a mistake in the Senior League you would probably get away with it nine times out of 10. In this league when you make a mistake they put them away.”

Sports were at it from the outset on Saturday and their first chance fell to Symes early on. He met Adam Steele’s cross but put his effort just wide.

Richard Beasley’s attempt then flew over the bar and Jordan Butler’s effort was also well saved as Sports put the pressure on the Gills.

But the goal did come just before the break when Butler found Symes and this time he finished with a low strike into the corner to net what proved to be the winner.

The second half started with Gillingham on the front foot looking to force an equaliser but the Sports’ defence remained strong throughout. Dorchester’s best chances of the second half fell to Beasley but first his shot was blocked then a header went over the bar.

Gillingham piled on the pressure late on and the home side almost drew level in the last seconds when a header from a corner come back off the bar, but the visitors held on for another three points.

James added: “Straight from the off we played really well going up the hill. We created loads of chances in the first half and should have really been out of sight.

“We defended well in the second half and they did pile the pressure on.”

Commenting on Symes, the Sports boss added: “He’s obviously a top player and makes us tick every time. He plays just behind the striker and we are lucky to have him really.”

Sports: Peart, Clarke-Jones, Lochrie, Read, Amor, Critchel, White (Bowditch 92), Beasley, Steele (Harvey 80), J Symes, Butler (Webb 80).