BOSS Keith Whatling was a relieved man after Hamworthy Recreation came from behind to edge a seven-goal thriller with Wareham Rangers in the Dorset Premier League.

Rec remained at the top of the standings on goal difference thanks to a 4-3 triumph at Purbeck Sports Centre which saw them stretched to the limit.

Whatling had expected a difficult encounter and that was exactly what trans-pired as Rec were twice pegged back before grabbing their winner.

Whatling told the Daily Echo: “The last couple of years I’ve gone to Wareham it has always been a tough game and again they were a very tough team to play against.

“They didn’t let us get going and we didn’t get the chance to play any of our normal football. I would have taken a point at 3-3 with the way we were playing, but thankfully we scored off a break-away.

“It was a fantastic three points for us, so I was pleased.”

Wareham boss Matt Welsh under-standably had different emotions at the result and said his side needed to learn some harsh lessons He said: “We gave them three goals and you can’t afford to do that with the better teams.

“We were disappointed not to get something out of it. It’s unfortunate but it’s a learning curve for some of the lads.”

Wareham seized the initiative when the unmarked Aaron Stacey put the hosts ahead from a corner.

However, Luke Stone soon levelled when he was barged over in the box and got to his feet before converting the penalty.

Stone fired home from outside the area soon after the half hour mark and that was how it stayed until the break.

Michael Finch equalised following the resumption but a cross-cum-shot from Max Wilcock restored the Rec advantage.

Again the home side pulled level, this time through Duane Hobbs, only for Sam Purdy to slot in off the post and keep Rec at the top of the table.

Rangers: Lillington, Johnson, Beard, Hobbs, Coakes, Stacey, Pardoe, Carpenter, Finch, Harding, Parsons. Unused subs: White, Godwin, Merredew.

Rec: Knights, Sands, Hatchard, Dykes, Walden, Ross, Wilcock, Andrews, Purdy (Porter, 85), Stone, Moores (Payne, 55). Unused sub: Downes.