DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

SHAFTESBURY TOWN RES 1

DORCHESTER Sports claimed a first win since mid-March with a 2-1 Dorset Premier League victory over Shaftesbury Town Reserves at the Clayson Stadium.

The second of two contests between the sides in a week was a duller affair than the previous 4-4 draw as both sides struggled to create chances.

Jason Read headed wide from a Lewis Amor corner and the Rockies saw a couple of penalty appeals waved away as the first half ended goalless.

With the second half continuing as the first ended, the match hinged on substitutions as Sports’ changes proved the decisive factor.

The inclusion of Joel Hewitt, Gary Harvey and Jamie Quinton late on for Sports rewarded the hosts with two goals – Hewitt grabbing both.

Firstly, 17-year-old Jack Steele’s inch perfect cross found Hewitt at the back post to bullet his header past the away keeper.

Hewitt slotted in for his brace on 80 minutes when Steele picked the forward out again to all but seal the points.

Hewitt nearly had his hat-trick late on but his shot rattled the post.

Shaftesbury did pull one back from the penalty spot when Read brought down Tom Carter in the box and Carter slotted the penalty past home keeper Antony Frost.

Despite the late concession, Sports were able to see the game out on a warm afternoon.

Speaking to Echosport, Sports’ boss Ashley James insisted the hosts’ subs “changed the game”.

He said: “It’s nice to win the game. It didn’t look like a goal was coming until late on.

“We had three subs that came on and changed the game in our favour in the last 20 minutes.

“When you’ve got that it’s a massive bonus. It helped us and got us the three points. Luckily, we got the two breaks at the end and scored two good goals.”

Dorchester Sports remain in seventh place ahead of their final game at home to Holt United on Thursday week.

James added: “It was a good performance and it was nice not to concede a goal from open play – the penalty was disappointing at the end.

“We looked a lot better defensively and that will be pleasing going into the Holt game because we know Holt are strong going forward.

“It keeps us in seventh which we’re clinging onto for dear life. There’s a couple of teams (Bridport Reserves and Blandford United) that might be able to pip us.”

Sports: Frost, A Gould, Hill, Amor, Read, Samways (Harvey 70,) Will, J Steele, Turland (Quinton 65), Ross (Hewitt 65), Rawlings.

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