DORCHESTER SPORTS 4
WESTLAND SPORTS 2
DORCHESTER Sports stormed to a 4-2 victory over Westland Sports in their penultimate Dorset Premier League game of the calendar year.
Ashley James’ men were 4-0 up at half-time despite suffering from a lack of football in recent weeks.
With both sides struggling to create chances in the opening quarter, even with an abundance of possession, the first goal proved crucial.
Owen Peart was the man to get it as the hosts’ winger beat two markers and fired home a deflected shot past Westland keeper Sam Watts.
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Peart’s goal lit the blue touch paper as Joel Hewitt’s clever flick from a Dan Sheehy cross set up Josh Leake to make it 2-0.
Sheehy then provided a perfect delivery for Hewitt to power a bullet header beyond Watts, before Sheehy grabbed the goal his performance deserved.
The ex-Puddletown man stole possession from a dozing Westland defence and fired past Watts for 4-0.
With strong words exchanged in the Westland dressing room at half-time, it came as no surprise when the Yeovil side were rejuvenated for the second half.
James’ men did have a part to play in Westland’s first goal as Ollie Crisp tapped home following hesitant defending.
Former Dorchester Town striker Phil Ormrod then poked past keeper Sam Duncalf for 4-2 and suddenly the hosts were in defensive mode.
On the break, they missed chances to assure themselves of victory as the returning Dylan Ellis fired wide.
Duncalf needed to be alert to keep out Crisp and the hosts were subjected to a nervy final 10 minutes, plus seven added, before holding on to triumph.
Speaking to Echosport, James said: “The first half was a brilliant performance. It’s something we’ve been looking for for a while.
“Everything we asked the lads to do, they did and scored four goals. They got on the front foot, pressed from the front.
“That’s the thing I was most impressed with, how high we pressed them and won the ball back. We put them under so much pressure they couldn’t live with it.
“They’re a good side and they showed it second half. We’ve got to learn now to see game out better, but the first-half performance was top-notch, we’ll be expecting more on Saturday.”
Sports host Hamworthy Reserves tomorrow (2pm), James adding: “We’ve got to do it again.
“We’ve got nearly 20 games next year, we want to get on a good run and finish the year on a win. Lots at stake. If we win against a good Hamworthy side it can kick start us.”
Nick Hutchings, Carl Edwards and Josh Pratt (groin) miss out but Darren Watts and Rich Sands return.
New centre-back signing Callum Streamer, formerly of Blandford, could also feature.
James added: “He’s come in, he’s a very good player, strong, talks and has made a massive impact.
“He can play in midfield as well, he’s someone we’ve been looking for and we’re delighted to have him on board.”
Dorch Sports: Duncalf, J Steele, Browne, Streamer, O’Shaughnessy, Brumble (Read 82), Peart (Ellis 70), Sheehy (Swain 80), Godfrey, Leake (Groves 65), Hewitt (Coombs 70)
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