MERLEY Cobham Sports completed a cup double by beating old adversaries Hamworthy Rec 3-1 in the DPL Supplementary Cup final at Holt’s Petersham Lane.

Victory in this league and cup mini competition reinforced Merley’s 5-1 win over Blandford United in the Dorset Senior Trophy in May, writes Ian Gilmartin.

Merley took the lead in the 13th minute when a corner was struck into the danger area and with Rec goalkeeper Aaron Robertson being unable to hold on to the cross it was left to former Dorchester Town and Hamworthy United centre-back Nathan Walker to bundle the ball over the line.

Rec responded with some dominance in midfield for a spell and when they had a corner of their own, the unmarked Liam Meldrum was unlucky not to score with a good header.

Cobham gradually began to play some better football and matched Rec in midfield but they were also finding some success with the long ball and Rec’s failure to deal with those deliveries was punished before half-time.

Asa Phillips received the ball for Cobham on the left flank, he hit a wonderful diagonal pass to Joe Wickham on the right wing who controlled well, took his man on and rifled a shot past Robertson into the far corner to put Cobham two up at the interval.

The second half started in a feisty fashion and Rec’s Sam Carter was fortunate to only receive a yellow card for his tackle on Ellis George.

Cobham seemed more up for it after the break and were unlucky on more than one occasion with Wickham going closest, bringing a fine save by Robertson.

Cobham began to dominate proceedings and had a flurry of corners that they threatened to score with but they had to wait until the 66th minute when another fine cross-field ball from Phillips found Wickham at the far post and the youngster finished well from 10 yards.

Merley were looking comfortable but, with Rec going to the bench to push more players forward, they found themselves back in the game within three minutes when Cobham failed to deal with a cross, and Joe Smith finished well for 3-1.

Rec were pushing men forward and Cobham dealt with everything that was thrown at them and they were looking increasingly dangerous on the break.

However, Merley managed the last quarter of the game well and ended up deserving winners.