WESTLAND SPORTS RES 2

DORCHESTER SPORTS RES 3

DORCHESTER Sports Reserves ground out a stellar 3-2 victory at Westland Reserves to record back-to-back victories in the Dorset Senior League.

In the opening exchanges there was nothing to separate the teams but as the first half progressed Sports found their rhythm and notched twice through young attacking sensation Josh Leake to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Leake’s first came following a nice team move, including a quick exchange between Jamie Quinton and Matt West that allowed the latter to rifle a low cross across the box for Leake to smash home his first and give Sports a deserved lead.

Sports’ second followed shortly after when a long ball from Jack Cox, assisted by a strong wind, outfoxed the hosts’ defence to allow Leake a one-on-one and he raced through to slot home with aplomb.

After the break the home side rallied and made Sports fight for every yard. A mix-up in the Sports’ defence allowed Jamie Dyas a half chance, which he finished well lobbing Carl Hopkins in goal to reduce the deficit.

Westland went on to equalise on 65 minutes in what can only be described as a calamity for the county town outfit.

Keeper Hopkins attempted to keep a wayward shot that was clearly going wide and out of play, only to palm the ball across the goal to Liam Stobbs who duly tapped home to set up a barnstorming finale.

Playing into the gales, Sports found their second wind and managed to edge back in front on 70 minutes though a tidy Quinton finish. The wily midfielder swivelled sharply in the box and drilled home a low effort in off the post to send Sports’ dugout into pandemonium.

West was brought down when clean through on goal only resulting in a caution for the Westland defender but it was the away side who lost a player as Steve Churchill was sin-binned for 10 minutes after questioning the decision.

Sports dug deep and had Josh Lamb to thank as his goal-saving tackle kept the slender lead intact and Sports ran out winners in this tight encounter.

Next up for Sports’ reserves is a home game against Stalbridge today at Weymouth College (3pm).

Dorch Sports: Hopkins, Lamb, Cox, Harrington, Amor, Quinton, Wash, Churchill, Moore, Leake, West. Subs: Ackerman, Hickman, Trent