SWANAGE Town & Herston boss Paul Whitton said he “expected a few blips, but probably not as big as we had on Saturday” after they were annihilated 10-1 at Weymouth.

The Dorset Premier League Cup holders got on the scoresheet, courtesy of a penalty from Mark Wheeler.

But a double hat-trick from Terras’ Sam Charles and four from Mike Rousell condemned the Day’s Park outfit to a severe drubbing at the Wessex Stadium.

The result left Whitton baffled after his side had held champions Hamworthy Recreation to a goalless draw at Magna Road last Tuesday.

But he has backed the young team he hurriedly took over on the eve of the season to recover from this hammer blow.

Whitton said: “This is a big rebuild this season, so I expected a few blips, but probably not as big as we had on Saturday.

“We went from playing Ham Rec on Tuesday night, drawing 0-0 and looking the better side to playing a Weymouth team which probably wasn’t as good, although they were well organised.

“We just didn’t turn up. The only positive that came out of it was all the players came in after the game and apologised.

“They all knew what they had done and what they hadn’t done during the game. It’s just one of those we’ll have to put down to experience and move forward.

“I think that will be easy because the atmosphere has been really good. This is just one of those blips we have all experienced in football. I think they’ll bounce back. I’m sure they will.”

After the disappointment of drawing at home to the Swans in midweek, Ham Rec bounced back with an 8-1 rout at Sturminster Newton.

Jamie Danoris gave the Cherries a first-minute advantage, but it quickly become one-way traffic as Rec scored four either side of the interval.

Mike Notley and Dan Blackburn bagged a brace each, while Scott Bedward, Mark Dykes, Jamie Moores and Ryan Lucas also found the net.

This result leaves Gareth Daniel’s Rec side third in the standings on 15 points – level with fourth-placed Holt United.

The Bulls picked up a commanding 3-1 victory at home to Blandford United with goals from Luke Stone, Kris Henshall and Jessie Hodgson. Saul Boulton bagged a consolation for the Royals.

Meanwhile, Sturminster Marshall continued their superb start to the season with a 4-0 win at Chickerell United.

Dan Manuel left West Dorset with a hat-trick, while an own goal added to the Churchill Close side’s tally.

An own goal handed Parley Sports a 1-0 win at Merley Cobham Sports, while a Ross Mills strike gave Poole Borough a 1-1 draw with Portland United.

Oliver Reynolds scored for Cranborne as they crashed 5-1 at Westland Sports, while Hamworthy United went down 4-2 at Wincanton Town.

In the day’s other game, league leaders Sherborne Town beat Bridport 1-0.