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CRANBORNE manager Ian Beattie is determined to top the Dorset Premier League's bottom half, following a stunning 5-1 triumph at Sturminster Marshall on Saturday.

The Cranes surged into a 4-0 lead after just 19 minutes, courtesy of quick-fire braces from James and Graham Antell.

Nick Dashwood made it five on the hour mark, before David Hounsell bagged a consolation for Marshall with five minutes left.

This victory came as a relief to the Cranes, following their 5-0 thumping at home to in-form Hamworthy Recreation last Thursday.

And boss Beattie admits his side should have added to their rout at Churchill Close.

He said: "We got well and truly stuffed against Hamworthy Rec, so I was glad we got back on track so quickly.

"The early goals really killed the game off and it was fairly straightforward after that.

"It would have been nice to add to it and score a couple more but, to Stur's credit, they kept on battling and didn't give up.

"They got a goal late on, due to our poor defending and the fact we had decided the game was won."

This result leaves the Cranes ninth in the standings with 29 points and just one behind eighth placed Hamworthy United.

With three games left, Cranborne have no chance of catching Poole Borough's 39 points and breaking into the top seven.

But Beattie is determined to see his side finish as the best of the bottom-end bunch.

He added: "The bottom three or four are pretty set and they're going to finish where they are now.

"But from 11th to eighth place, it is fairly competitive and everyone can play well on their day.

"We would be absolutely delighted if we could be top of that section and be eighth or ninth.

"We've certainly turned things around since Christmas, when we were bottom, and it's basically the same players who have done it."

Meanwhile, Hamworthy Rec followed up their five-goal destruction of the Cranes last week with an impressive 2-1 victory over title hunters Gillingham Town.

Jason Manley opened the scoring for the visitors after 70 minutes of an intense contest at Magna Road.

But Rec turned things around when Tom Wills netted on 77 and Gary Vincent stuck at the death to all but end Gills' championship dreams.

Portland United are now seven points clear at the top, following their 4-0 win at Wincanton Town, and both sides have three games remaining.

Hamworthy United endured a torrid afternoon in Somerset, as they went down 5-1 at Westland Sports.

Darren Orchard grabbed one for the Hammers, Phil Ormrod claimed a brace and Danny Call, Andrew Smith and Steve Lindegaard were also on target for the Yeovil team.

Cobham Sports, meanwhile, chalked up a 2-0 triumph over Sturminster Newton.

12:16pm Monday 21st April 2008

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