SHAFTESBURY 3

DORCHESTER SPORTS 5

DORCHESTER Sports earned their first three away points of the season after beating Shaftesbury 5-3 at Cockrams.

The county town side started the game well going up the hill and took the lead on 20 minutes when Gareth Will let fly from 20 yards and his strike found the top corner.

However, Sports did not press on from there and the home side started to dominate and found themselves in front.

First the hosts scored from another screamer from 20 yards that flew past visiting keeper Sam Turner and then a free header found the net and the visitors were behind for the first time this season.

Ashley James’ men kept battling and drew level just before the break when Jamie Symes was brought down by the home keeper and up stepped Symes to coolly slot home the penalty.

Sports started the second half with a spring in their step and the inclusion of Sam Pashen sparked more life into them.

The visitors then took the lead when Richard Beasley crossed for Symes to head in eight yards out.

Sports then brought on 16-year-old Joel Hewitt and the youngster didn’t take long to make an impression when again Beasley crossed and the former finished with class past the home stopper.

The youngster then bagged a double shortly after when his strike found the bottom corner on 75 minutes.

Shaftesbury did pull another back with another 20-yard screamer which flew past Turner but Sports held on and picked up a vital three points.

Speaking to Echosport, James felt the match was “a game of two halves”.

He said: “It was good to get that first away win of the season.

“The first half was tough, and the wind was against us up the hill. We got the first goal but we got even worse.

“We just weren’t ourselves but showed character to stay in the game and the penalty was crucial.

“Second half we came out a completely different team. We always knew it was going to be a game of two halves.

Picking up on the performances of Hewitt and Symes, James was full of praise.

“It was nice to see Joel get his first two goals, he took them really well. He’s got a cool head on him and he definitely knows where the net is.

“Jamie’s an important player for his. He took his second really well and he’s back to goalscoring form,” he said.

Sports: Turner, Amor (Heal 20), Lochrie, Peart, Read, White (Pashen 60), Samways, Symes, Beasley, Will, Turland (Hewitt 65)

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