5:12pm Monday 28th April 2008
By Paul Burbidge
STURMINSTER Marshall manager Kevin Bowmer hailed his fearless young guns after they demolished Holt United 4-0 at Petersham Lane last Saturday.
Going into what appeared to be a tough contest, Marshall had suffered five defeats on the bounce.
But Bowmer's boys shocked Lee Bradford's men to the core with strikes from Ross Humphrey, Will Gage, Mark Henson and Scott Thomas.
This result left the visitors 12th in the table, although they are unable to climb any higher as Blandford United are four points ahead in 11th.
Nonetheless, Bowmer was ecstatic with the efforts of a young team who showed huge potential as the club builds for next term.
He said: "We brought in a lot of youngsters and said to them, we're playing for next season, so show us what you can do'.
"They gave us enthusiasm and played with so much confidence and a lack of fear - they went out and went for the throat.
"Holt aren't easy to play against away from home and that's why I put the youngsters in there - to give them a real test.
"They're a big, strong side and aren't shy of dishing out a kick or two.
"But to be fair to my boys, they took it and stood up for themselves well.
"I just hope the enthusiasm will carry on over the summer, when we get them back in for training in early July."
Hamworthy Recreation have more pressing matters to deal with tonight, when they face Westland Sports in the Dorset Premier League Cup Final at Dorchester this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
They go into their biggest game of the season on the back of another rout, after crushing Poole Borough 5-0 at Magna Road.
Mike Notley opened the scoring on the half hour, before Chris Rigler turned on the style after the break - netting a fantastic four times to sting the Hornets.
As a result, Rec have now netted a colossal 28 goals in just eight games.
This is too little, too late to claim the championship, though.
That was won by Portland United last Wednesday and they celebrated their triumph with a 3-0 victory over Blandford United.
Matt White's brace and one from John Lamb killed off the Royals, whose young side battled bravely against the new champions.
Meanwhile, Swanage Town and Herston were hoping to rub salt into Gillingham Town's wounds, after they missed out on top spot.
Despite playing the North Dorset outfit off the pitch for 90 minutes, the Gills snatched it with a Mark Champion strike two minutes into stoppage time.
Swans will now be hoping for victory on the final day against Wincanton Town to avoid finishing bottom.
This is no longer a danger for Cranborne, who continued their useful end to the season by holding Westland Sports to a 1-1 draw at Penny's Lane.
Nick Dashwood put the Cranes ahead after the half-time interval, but the visitors hit back eight minutes from time to share the spoils.
In the day's other contest, Bridport stunned Wincanton 4-1.
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