Southern Premier League Round Up:
Dorchester hosted league high-flyers Poole Town at the Avenue Stadium on Saturday in front of a larger-than-usual crowd, and both sets of fans were entertained to a thrilling end-to-end, free-flowing encounter where the points were eventually shared following a one-all draw.
Poole have their eyes firmly set on promotion, and with the division’s top goal scorer and former Magpies striker Shaquille Gwengwe now in their ranks, they posed a big threat to Dorchester manager Wes Fogden’s young charges.
The Dolphins had the better of the first half, but if Gwengwe had expected a friendly welcome from his former teammates, he would have been disappointed.
From the outset, Gwengwe was man-marked, but he shook off his marker and fired in a shot from a narrow angle, with the Magpie’s keeper Monty Marriott producing a fine save to deny the visitors a goal.
There was no score at the break, but it was that man Gwengwe who broke the deadlock following a goalmouth scramble when he forced the ball across the goal line to open the scoring.
From then on, it was mostly Dorchester who took control, and it came as no surprise when Marcus Daws’ left foot drive beat Poole keeper Adam Parks on his near post with the ball ending in the back of the Poole net and Daws celebrating his strike with the Dorchester faithful.
The Dolphins had to pull out all of the stops to keep the now rampant Magpies out and were probably happy to hear the final whistle and travel back to Tatnam with a point, making the final score Dorchester 1 Poole Town 1.
Weymouth eased their relegation fears somewhat with a four-nil victory away against basement club Tiverton.
The Terras’ scores were shared between Reubin Reid, Calvin Brooks, Matt Burrows and Tom Bearwish.
Our Man at the Match said,” A good win for the Terras, but a scrappy game at times. Good to keep a clean sheet and Matt Burrows emerged as Man of the Match with his goal and two assists, but it has to be said, Weymouth are still very much threatened by dropping into the league below.
Portland United travelled to Hythe & Dibden and returned with a four goals to one victory.
Callum Corbridge, Jacob Coombs, Sam Gadsby and Greg Borthwick scored the Blues’ goals.
Bridport also scored four goals on the road away at Crediton and conceded only once.
Fred Parsons opened the Bees’ account with a goal each coming from Solomon Ayunga, Harley Brook and Will Gape.
Local Dorset Premier League Results:
Verwood Town 1 vs Portland United Res. 2.
Sunday Women’s Football:
Trophy Game:
Weymouth 1 vs Wimborne 1. Wimborne win 5-4 on penalties.
Weymouth scorer Ellia Webb.
League Match:
Dorchester 1 vs Ridgeway 7.
Tribute Ale League Rugby Results:
Swindon 14 vs Swanage & Wareham 43, Dorchester 43 vs Lytchett Minster 14, Swanage & Wareham A xv 10 vs Bridport 89, Wimborne A xv 38 vs Weymouth & Portland 21.
Sunday Women’s Rugby:
Weymouth & Portland 14 vs Oakmeadians 27.
For more info and photos, particularly images from the Dorchester vs Poole Town football match, follow this link: idrismartin.wordpress.com
