BOSS Keith Whatling saw Hamworthy Recreation steal a march on their rivals in the Dorset Premier League title race and then played down their chances of winning the championship.

Goals from Dom Allen and Dom Falco earned Rec a 2-1 win over fellow high-fliers Portland United at Magna Road on Saturday.

Victory left third-placed Rec four points behind Merley Cobham and Portland but with three games in hand on the top two. Whatling’s men have won 13 and drawn one of their 15 league games since losing at Portland in August.

The Blues’ cause was not helped when Sean Bessant received a straight red card for a foul on Tom Willis with Ross Doidge’s late goal proving a mere consolation.

Whatling said: “It is always one of the biggest games of the season against Portland because the lads know each other well. There is a lot of respect between the clubs and healthy competition in the games. It was another good game and a good battle.

“The win has made the title race interesting to a degree but, like any other league, it is very easy to go into your next game and lose and make what you have worked hard for worthless.

“We are confident in what we are doing. The lads are working hard and are seeing out games. We will keep doing what we are doing and see where it takes us.

“There is a long way to go. We have a few games to catch up and a lot at home. Our pitch starts coming into its own now and suits our style of football. With the players in the side at the moment, hopefully we can start getting better and better.”

Whatling described Allen’s sublime free-kick opener as “one of the best goals I have seen for a very long time”, with Falco heading them into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Portland boss Gary Bailey said: “The title was in their hands before the game but this result has handed them a huge initiative.”

Rec: Knights, Ross, Sands, Walden, Willis, Bartlett, Moores, Allen (Stacey, 77), Andrews, Falco (Cameron, 84), Purdy (Manuel, 67).

  • Paul Ford’s goal proved in vain as Blandford United slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Sherborne Town reserves, while Merley Cobham lost 4-0 at Weymouth reserves in the quarter-final of the League Cup.