Yeovil & Sherborne 1

West Dorset 0

Newly promoted West Dorset kicked off the new campaign with the narrowest of defeats against Yeovil & Sherborne.

Up against the team relegated from the league above, West Dorset made a very respectable account of themselves as the new boys in the West Men's Division 2 Central league.

Led by new first team captain, Sam Dormor, West Dorset controlled and dominated the first five minutes of the game.

Jedd Whittington and Rick Dormor commanded the central midfield, and linked up well with left wing debutant Fred Blackburn, and right wing veteran Rick Steele.

West Dorset's passing game started brightly, with possession regularly entering the opponents final third. But the home team's defence were well marshalled.

West Dorset's first attempt came when Sam Dormor picked out Bob Dormor in the scoring D from 20 yards out, but Bob was unable to divert the quick through ball towards goal.

West Dorset continued their pressure on the home team's defence but were still denied goal scoring opportunities.

Yeovil & Sherborne finally started to make their mark on game, and had their first real chance after 8 minutes. From within their own half, two quick passes split West Dorset's defence open, leaving goalkeeper Alex Drew facing a one on one attempt which he managed to push wide to safety.

The home team stepped up a gear and started to put pressure on the West Dorset defence.

The back four of Sam Dormor, stand in Giles Maltby, Ben Whittington and Will Tewson held the line well and made a string of crucial interceptions and tackles prevent a number of threatening attacks.

However the back line was broken after ten minutes, as a by-line pass beat defenders and goalkeeper, and found a lone striker with the goal at his mercy.

A last ditch clinical foul from Will Tewson prevented an inevitable goal, but a penalty stroke was award as a result. Yeovil's captain sent goalkeeper Alex Drew the wrong way from the spot, an early lead from the home team.

From the re start, Yeovil & Sherborne continued to dominate, playing the high line, and created numerous goal scoring chances.

Man of the Match, Giles Maltby worked tirelessly, regularly being in the right place at the right time, intercepting passes for fun and breaking down attacking threats.

The superb defensive effort by West Dorset limited Yeovil to a just a handful of half chances as the half wore on. 

West Dorset had spells of possession, but couldn't find that final pass to the attacking pair of Bob Dormor and Dave Tewson.

Just before halftime, West Dorset suffered a blow as key player Fred Blackburn was forced off with a severe ankle injury from an awkward fall. Rich Wilson came off the bench to replace Fred and help West Dorset reach halftime still just 0-1 down.

Yeovil restarted the second half, and within minutes West Dorset had their best chance of the game.

A superb through ball by Sam Dormor from his own half found Bob, who turned and beat two defenders and with the clear shot available, his momentum saw him off balance and was unable to get a clean shot away.

The second half continued as the first half finished.

Yeovil had the majority of play but could not convert their numerous chances as West Dorset's defence held firm. Attacks and short corners came in numbers but the scoreline remained 1-0. 

West Dorset defended gallantly, and continued to pursue rare attacking chances when they became available But the home team's quality took hold and started frustrate West Dorset, leading to green card sin bins for Jedd Whittington and Bob Dormor.

Out of ideas and almost out of energy, West Dorset couldn't find an equaliser as the whistle blew for full time.

Next up for West Dorset 1s is Bridgwater 1s at 2pm on Saturday, October 5 on the astro pitch at the Sir John Colfox School.