STURMINSTER NEWTON UNITED 3

DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

TWO late goals from leaders Sturminster Newton United deprived Dorchester Sports of a much-needed three points, both teams settling for an entertaining 3-3 draw at Barnetts Field.

Sports, having conceded 12 goals in three consecutive defeats, were ahead for the majority of the game and took the lead when Elliot Rossiter buried a one-on-one chance in the first half.

Rossiter nearly made it 2-0 before half-time but goalkeeper Theo Crane this time kept him at bay.

However, Crane was powerless to deny young talent Toby Read from doubling the visitors’ lead after the break, the striker tucking home a composed finish for his third goal in four games.

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Sports then conceded a penalty when sub Oli Lowes was penalised for an off-the-ball incident in his own area, despite the referee having awarded a free-kick.

Elliot Bevis stepped up and beat Nick Hutchings from 12 yards to make it 2-1 but Sports thought they had won it ten minutes from time.

Their third goal came when Owen Peart robbed Crane of possession and made no mistake by finding the unguarded net.

With nothing to lose, the Cherries threw men forward and set up a grandstand finish when Ashley Clarke nodded home a cross in the 85th minute.

And as the clock ticked into added time, Sports failed to clear a corner and Will Guppy popped up amid a chaotic goalmouth scramble to stab home in added time for a dramatic equaliser.

Sturminster are top of the Jewson Dorset Premier League table and Sports stay fifth.

Speaking to Echosport, away boss Ashley James said: “A brilliant performance, we were 3-1 up with five minutes to go and unfortunately couldn’t hold on.

“It feels a bit like a defeat but there are massive positives to take. Just a shame we couldn’t take all three points.

“The improvement was massive and we deserved to come away with more than a point. We’ve got to take it on the chin and move on.”

James added: “We were holding on and I think if we hadn’t have played on Tuesday we would’ve seen the game out.

“There were some really tired legs and we put so much into the opening 85 minutes that we just couldn’t hold on, but it’s massive encouragement and the lads were brilliant.”

Dorchester Sports have no game on Saturday but return at home to Shaftesbury Town Reserves on Saturday, February 25 (2pm).

Sports: Hutchings, J Steele, Taylor, Hansford, Browne, Samways, Delves (Lowes 55), Rossiter (Carlile 75), Read (Sheehy 75), O Peart, Godfrey. Sub not used: Jacques.