HOLT UNITED 4

DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

DORCHESTER Sports sustained a setback in their quest for the Jewson Dorset Premier League title with a late 4-3 loss at Holt United.

Sports were looking to push on at the halfway stage of the season, with 16 games to go.

However, they met a determined Bulls side renowned for their ability to make life awkward for the opposition – and so it proved for Ashley James’ men.

Sports deployed a high press to cause their own problems for Holt and the tactic worked as Elliot Rossiter had a fizzing effort saved after the home defence was pressured out of possession.

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Holt, who had not played for seven weeks, responded when Connor Bent latched onto a ball bisecting Sports’ centre-backs before beating returning keeper Nick Hutchings.

Pressing tactics worked for Sports again before half-time as Holt gave possession away, allowing Alex Godfrey to score.

Jack Delves went close with a free-kick and Ash Smith hoisted a good chance over at the back post as Sports passed up opportunities to go ahead.

Holt again unlocked the Sports’ back line with a defence-splitting pass for their second goal, Scott Bungay this time the beneficiary before half-time.

Holt had been given two scares with Sports’ press but failed to heed the warning for a third time as Rossiter closed down the keeper and won the race to the loose ball for 2-2.

Poor defending enabled Holt to make it 3-2 from a Bungay free header and the Bulls made it four on 87 minutes when Nathan Redwood nodded beyond Hutchings from a deep cross.

Sports were pushing for way back into the game and were given a lifeline when sub Toby Read netted a tap-in on 92 minutes.

In a nerve-jangling finish, Sports claimed a penalty for handball only to see their protests waved away, including that of Godfrey who saw straight red for dissent.

Sports were left to lick their wounds, dropping to third and falling five points behind leaders Sturminster Newton after their 4-0 win over Balti.

Speaking to Echosport, James felt his side missed out on victory.

He said: “A bitterly disappointing afternoon, we didn’t play well enough and deserved what we got – nothing.

“On another day, if we played better we could’ve got something. The win was there if we’d been a little better all-round as a whole squad.

“In the end they were better and deserved their win. That’s frustrating to say because we had the quality out there to win, but it wasn’t to be.”

Sports: Hutchins, J Steele, O’Shaughnessy (Samways 80), Browne, Heal (Sheehy 60), Taylor (Read 55), Delves, Watts, Godfrey, Smith, Rossiter. Sub not used: Green.