DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 1

DORCHESTER Sports weathered a slow start to claim a 3-1 victory over Sturminster Marshall in their Jewson Dorset Premier League opener at the Avenue Stadium.

Sports, third-placed last season, were made to work hard by the Dorset Senior League champions, who made a threatening start.

Although the Marsh wasted a one-on-one chance for Ash Cope and saw Will Gage flash a header wide from a corner, they had Sports worried.

The near misses prompted the hosts to improve and they soon found their stride with two goals in two minutes at the end of the half.

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New signing Jamie Beasley crossed in for Alex Godfrey to net from the centre of the box before the goalscorer turned provider, finding Jamie Symes who headed home for 2-0.

Godfrey was inches away from a spectacular third when he thundered a volley against the bar, although he did make it 3-0 by guiding home Jack Steele’s inviting cross.

Marsh did give Sports an uncomfortable moment when Cope fired at keeper Nick Hutchings, whose parry presented Ollie Hudson with an unmissable chance for 3-1.

With 15 minutes remaining, Sports shut up shop and bled away the time to lock up their opening-day win.

Speaking to Echosport, Sports’ boss Ashley James said: “We knew what we were going to be up against and we were spot on.

“They were really at it for 40-odd minutes. We had to dig deep, stay in the game and make sure we didn’t concede.

“They had a couple of opportunities but after that the quality of the two goals before half-time really shook them.

“It put us in a commanding position going into half-time. We know if we stay in these games long enough we’ve got the quality to do what we did.

“A little bit disappointing (not to keep a clean sheet). Ninety-nine per cent of the time Nick saves and it won’t be a goal.

“It’s just one of those things, the conditions were roasting and it was even hotter on the 3G, but we saw the game out.”

Sports now visit Bridport Reserves tonight (7.45pm).

James added: “Midweek games in August are always banana skins. Last year that game at their place cost us second in the league. All the lads know that.

“Being 3-0 up and them coming back to 3-3 cost us being runners-up. We have to improve on last season’s result.

“With that in mind and the fact that we gave a three-goal lead away, the lads are going to be up for it and want to make amends.”

Sports welcome back Jack Delves and Tony Carlile are available but Jamie Symes misses out.

Sports: Hutchings, J Steele, O’Shaughnessy, Symes, Bessant, Watts (Samways 60), Critchell, Voss, West (Sheehy 65), Beasley (Dovell 75), Godfrey. Subs not used: Green, Tennant.