DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

HOLT UNITED 3

DORCHESTER Sports ended their Dorset Premier League season with a tight 3-2 loss to former champions Holt United at the Clayson Stadium.

Any hopes of a good start for Ashley James’ men were shredded when lethal striker Nathan Saxby latched onto a simple through ball and slotted past keeper Antony Frost in the second minute.

Jason Read, 42, playing his final game before retirement, then misjudged a bouncing ball, allowing Saxby to steal in and finish clinically.

Sports gave themselves a mountain to climb when Alex Gould poked a cross into his own net. However, just before half-time Ryan Ross turned and shot on the edge of the box to find the bottom corner.

The hosts spurned three excellent chances to score after the resumption before Read rolled back the years, planting a firm header from Gareth Will’s free-kick into the net for 3-2 and atone for his earlier error.

In a thrilling end-to-end game, both Holt and Sports had further chances to score but the Bulls held on for the win as Sports remain eighth in the table.

Speaking to Echosport, Sports’ boss James said: “It was unfortunate we didn’t get something from the game because we deserved it. We didn’t take our chances, they did, and you can’t gift them those sorts of chances. We paid for it. That’s the story of our season in one game.”

Commenting on Read, James added: “He’s been unbelievable for us. It’s a nice way for him to finish with a headed goal, his trademark.”