DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

MERE TOWN 2

DORCHESTER Sports’ manager Ashley James admitted his side were given a scare in the final 30 minutes of their Dorset Premier League clash against Mere Town at the Avenue.

The hosts seemed to be cruising going into the final half hour of the encounter with a three-goal lead before Mere rallied and almost managed to seal a share of the spoils.

The county town side were forced to dig in with the score at 3-2, but managed to hold out to record their 14th league win of the campaign.

Boss James said: “We were hanging on by the skin of our teeth in the end but the first hour was really good.

“We controlled the game and looked really comfortable, then I made a couple of changes and it all just completely changed.

“They got a bit of confidence, got their goals, and we were lucky to hang on in the end.”

Sports started the game well but lost Jamie Samways to an ankle injury after just 20 minutes.

As the striker left the field however, former Bridport man Jamie Symes crossed for Ashley White to score his first goal of the season from six yards out, to put the hosts in front.

Sports were using their ninth keeper of the season with Anthony Luque in goal, and they had him to thank as he saved a one-on-one towards the end of the half.

That allowed the Dorchester side to attack and Symes was then brought down in the box. He then stepped up to put Sports two up from the spot at the end of the half

The hosts started the second period brightly and a nice move down the left-hand side resulted in Adam Steele crossing for Symes to notch his brace on the hour mark for 3-0, before the entire complexion of the game then changed.

First, Mere scored from a corner then a direct free-kick found the bottom corner which had the home team rattled.

But Sports bravely held firm to seal the three points and Sam Pashen nearly added a fourth with a 25-yard strike which was well saved late on.

James added: “We played some good football but we just switched off and thought the game was won. I thought it was won as well which was a big mistake and, luckily, we got away with it.

“We had to dig in and, in the end, we did that. They came at us and fair play to them, they are a decent and physical side.”

Sports: Luque, Gatehouse, Amor (Bagwell 60), Read, Lochrie, Critchel, White, Steele, Samways (Pashen 20), A Symes, J Symes (Butler 65). Sub not used: Heal