BLANDFORD UNITED 19

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 1

MARK Ford scored an incredible septuple as Blandford United pummelled 19 goals past Sturminster Marshall in a Dorset Premier League demolition.

The 19-1 scoreline fell just short of Westland Sports’ tally of 20-0 against Cranborne in the DPL seven years ago, but a win by this margin remains an extremely rare occurrence.

League leaders Blandford came into the game as overwhelming favourites against a significantly changed Marsh side, compared to last season.

And the visitors’ inexperience was at times ruthlessly exposed as the Royals threatened a big score.

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Archie McCarthy volleyed Blandford ahead in the third minute and, moments after Blandford hit the post, ex-Weymouth striker Ford tapped home from George Coleman’s square pass.

Ford turned provider for 3-0 when he touched back for Elliot Manson to score, but Marsh plugged away and got themselves back in it with a goal of their own.

It came via the penalty spot as Dylan Collins sent Sam Pike the wrong way, recording Stur’s eighth goal of the season.

Sub Steve Smith, an early replacement for Brad Parry, then danced past three tackles to supply Ford for his second.

And the Royals scored a juicy fifth when Niall Dixon’s gorgeous chip over the defence set McCarthy away for his second, finishing with a deft lob.

Marsh got into the break at 5-1 down but Blandford needed only three minutes of the second half to add a sixth when Smith headed home McCarthy’s corner.

Ford had a goal ruled out for offside but McCarthy netted his hat-trick on 50 minutes when Tyler Rutten’s incisive ball allowed him to finish for 7-1.

However, Marsh’s keeper then went off injured and with only a centre-back available to go in goal, the scoreline quickly deteriorated.

Twelve goals were scored in the final 26 minutes after Logan Laird hit the bar.

Blandford got the blitz of goals going when Ford’s shot clattered off the post, falling perfectly for Brad Pike to make it 8-1.

Ford sealed his hat-trick with a penalty after McCarthy was brought down and Coleman made it double figures, nutmegging the emergency keeper from distance.

Ford added his fourth and fifth with emphatic finishes and Smith headed his second to make it 13-1 with 13 minutes to go.

Laird supplied Ford for his double hat-trick and then grabbed a goal for himself, with a wonderful solo effort.

Even though McCarthy went off injured, reducing Blandford to ten men, the goals continued to flow as Brad Pike claimed his brace prior to sub Joe Kempster hitting the post.

Ford scored an impudent seventh after keepy-uppies in the box and Pike pounced on a loose ball to bag Blandford’s 18th in added time.

The merciless Royals then completed the scoring in the 98th minute as Kempster’s bullet crashed against the post and nestled in the net.