HAMWORTHY UNITED RES 4

DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

TEN-MAN Dorchester Sports slipped to a third straight away loss in the Dorset Premier League as Hamworthy United Reserves claimed a 4-2 win at the County Ground.

Played out in boiling conditions, the match began some 20 minutes late when the match officials were late arriving at the ground.

Sports had already warmed up and were made to wait for kick-off, disrupting their preparations.

The hindrance did not appear to affect the visitors at first as Joel Hewitt twice went close and Dan Sheehy came within inches of converting a Carl Edwards cross.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports 5-0 Poole Borough - report

However, the Hammers responded with a clinical goal when Jake Kelly’s header from a cross beat keeper Nick Hutchings.

Sports were gifted a chance to equalise from the spot thanks to a dubious handball in the box, Owen Peart stepping up to level from 12 yards.

Ashley James’ men laid siege to the Hammers’ goal in the second half but failed to find a crucial second goal.

Hewitt smashed an effort against the post, Hamworthy cleared an Edwards shot off the line and Sheehy was incredibly denied by Thomas Percival-Smith’s breathtaking save.

Hewitt then fluffed his lines from an Alex Godfrey delivery and Sports were duly punished when Charlie Harries restored Hamworthy’s lead seconds later.

Liam O’Shaughnessy’s shot looped over Percival-Smith for 2-2 but Sports were not level for long as Eric Richardson ghosted across the face of the Sports’ defence to prod home.

Left-back O’Shaughnessy was then sent off for a hefty tackle from behind, leaving the county town side with a mountain to climb.

Sports pushed men forward in stoppage-time to find an equaliser but they were instead hit on the break as Neemo Nixon used his pace to outsprint the defence, round Hutchings and score.

James told Echosport: “It’s a disappointing day and result, it couldn’t have gone any worse.

“The referee didn’t turn up until quarter past three. The lads were waiting around, we had to get going again.

“The first half was pretty lacklustre from both sides but in the second half we had a real opportunity to go and win the game.

“We didn’t take it and to come away with nothing is bitterly disappointing.”

Sports now host unbeaten Blandford United this evening (7.45pm).

James added: “We’re going to have to improve otherwise we’re going to be on the wrong end of an embarrassing performance and result.

“We haven’t got very long to get ready. They’re unbeaten and if we go into the game with the same mindset as Saturday, it could turn pretty ugly pretty soon.

“We’ve got the chance to pull our sleeves up, work for each other and put the disappointment behind us. Our home form has been good.”

Hutchings, Darren Watts and Sam Duncalf miss out but Rich Sands, Liam Taylor and Josh Leake return.

Sports: Hutchings, Browne (Heal 80), Tennant, Coombs, O’Shaughnessy, Brumble, O Peart (Swain 80), Sheehy (Camp 70), Hewitt (Ellis 70), Godfrey, Edwards.