PARLEY Sports chairman Malcolm Whitfield admits a procession of one-goal disappointments has proved costly for his side in the Magna Dorset Premier League this season.

Sports enjoyed better fortunes last Saturday, as they romped to a 3-1 victory at Bridport. A first-half brace from Canadian star Mika Dronyk put Parley firmly in charge, before Pepe Smith sealed the points on 57 minutes.

Whitfield has watched his men lose 2-1 at Chickerell United and 3-2 at home to Sturminster Marshall this term, as well as being held to draws by Poole Borough and Westland Sports.

The Parley chief knows converting these defeats into draws and the stalemates into wins against such powerful opposition would have left his side far higher than 10th in the DPL standings.

He said: “It has all been very close and we’re not getting turned over badly by anyone.

“You have to take your hat off to the likes of Hamworthy Rec because they do consistently churn out 1-0s and 2-0s all the time.

“That’s a difficult thing to do because there are some very good sides in this league.

“But we’re getting used to it all now. This is our second season in the DPL and we’re quite happy to be where we are at the moment.”

Of his side’s triumph over Bridport, Whitfield added: “It was a nice win – fairly comfortable. I’m very pleased. But we could and should have been a lot further ahead before we got our third.”

Elsewhere, leaders Hamworthy Recreation are four points clear at the top following a hard-fought home win over Blandford United.

A 30-yarder from Jamie Moores broke the deadlock after 70 minutes, before Adam Marsh netted a penalty to put the result beyond doubt.

But Royals skipper Dan Holland felt his side produced their performance of the season at Magna Road.

He said: “We went down with a bare XI. There were a few players carrying knocks but they all played the 90 minutes.

“We played some good football and I’ve never seen a Hamworthy Rec side arguing amongst themselves.

“We frustrated them and they got really agitated.

“It was a definite improvement for us – probably the best game we have played all year to be fair.”

Goals from Adam Komorowski and Darren Millar gave Holt United a 2-0 victory at basement-club Sturminster Newton.

Jason Thomas struck for Swanage Town and Herston as they won 1-0 at Merley Cobham Sports.

Hamworthy United went down 4-1 at Westland Sports, while Portland United defeated Chickerell 4-0.

In the day’s other game, Weymouth won 2-1 at Wincanton.