DORCHESTER SPORTS 3

SHAFTESBURY TOWN RES 3

DORCHESTER Sports were held to an action-packed 3-3 draw by Jewson Dorset Premier League strugglers Shaftesbury Town Reserves at the Avenue Stadium.

Sports have still not won a game in 2023, a winless run of seven games stretching back to the 5-1 victory over Bridport Reserves on New Year’s Eve.

Their recent frailties were exposed by a Shaftesbury side languishing in bottom spot with a goal difference of minus 73.

Sports are now eighth but remain within three points of Wimborne Reserves in fourth.

Ashley James’ men got off to the perfect start in the first minute when Owen Peart played in Elliot Rossiter, the striker smashing past Rockies’ keeper Tyler Disson.

READ MORE: Joel Hewitt joins Dorchester Sports from Portland United

Jake Forbes netted a deflected equaliser, leaving keeper Nick Hutchings helpless, and Tyler Forbes then put the Rockies ahead seconds later when the hosts failed to clear a loose ball.

But Oli Lowes ensured Sports went into half-time level at 2-2, burying a good strike into the top corner.

Sports wasted several chances to take the lead, including new signing Joel Hewitt hoisting over the bar, and they were duly punished on the break by Ollie Brown’s clinical finish.

However, Sports should arguably have gone on to win a rollercoaster game when Peart converted a penalty for 3-3 before Rossiter was denied by Disson in a golden one-on-one chance.

Speaking to Echosport, James admitted the result was symptomatic of Sports’ misfiring start to the calendar year.

He said: “It was disappointing not to get the three points. It was our own doing again.

“Until we start being better in both boxes we’re not going to pick up a win.

“We had loads of chances, not putting them away, and then the goals we’re conceding are poor.

“We’re being punished for it. It’s at both ends. Until we rectify both ends, that win’s going to be a long way away.

“It’s back to the training ground on Wednesday and we’ll work hard again.”

On Sports’ win-shy start to 2023, James added: “Losing Shaun (Bessant) it’s a massive blow.

“Obviously the confidence in all the other players has dropped as well.

“Then, one result leads to another. When you get on a good run, confidence is high.

“When you make a mistake, confidence gets lower. That’s happening at the moment.

“We’re just making too many mistakes and not defending as well as we used to. We’re not putting the ball in the back of the net like we used to at important times in games.

“We’re being punished for it.”

Sports visit Swanage Town & Herston on Saturday (3pm).

Sports: Hutchings, J Steele, O’Shaughnessy (Smith 65), Radivojsa, Hansford, Samways, O Peart, Lowes (Sheehy 70), Read (Hewitt 60), Godfrey, Rossiter. Subs not used: West, Browne.