Yetminster battled hard but were soundly beaten by Dolphin Hotel in a controversial and bad-tempered game at the Shark Pond. Sharks never really looked like upsetting the Division II pace-setters, but were on the receiving end of a fair share of rough treatment from the visitors throughout.
The game got off to a fast-paced opening, with chances coming and going at both ends. Yetminster were fortunate to survive an early skirmish, but Dolphin failed to make the most of a scramble on the edge of the Sharks' six yard box. The hosts then created a great chance of their own after Craig Biss' inch-perfect pass cut the defensive line to pieces, but Mark Whitmarsh's first-time effort dragged across the face of goal and tamely past the far post.
Events took a nasty turn though on the half-hour mark, with Adam Marsh fortunate to escape unhurt after a dangerous challenge wide on the Sharks' right hand side which referee Mike Hooper deemed worthy only of a free kick in spite of the Dolphin player's studs coming up high as he went in to contest the ball with Marsh. What followed though would set the tone for the rest of the game, as Hotel centre-back Dean Francis and Sharks manager Ben Jones had a heated exchange in which Francis threatened the Yetminster boss, unseen by the match official.
Minutes later Jamie Lukosius was on the receiving end of another questionable tackle after the ball had gone, and was unable to continue, Marcus Partridge coming on to replace him. Dolphin seized the initiative once play resumed though, and found an opener as half-time beckoned when the impressive Charlie Browne beat Ben Spreadbury with a smart finish inside the box.
Yetminster attempted to regroup at the interval, but tensions between Francis and Jones resurfaced, the Dolphin defender brushing past the Welshman as he discussed the events of the first half with referee Hooper.
But Dolphin immediately found their rhythm after the break, sweeping upfield with pace and vigour to force an early free-kick. They doubled their advantage with the resulting strike, after Spreadbury failed to keep out Chris Pullen's effort.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts two minutes later, when Greg Taylor went down in the penalty area under the challenge of Stuart Toft, and was awarded the spot-kick. Dean Glass stepped up and sent the Sharks keeper the wrong way to stretch the Hotel lead out to three, before Francis was in the thick of proceedings again, goading and mocking the Yetminster bench and supporters as his side celebrated their third goal.
Glass made the game safe 10 minutes later after a fine header back across the face of goal that left Spreadbury stranded. Yet again Francis seemed keen to up the ante, showing a complete lack of class as he made offensive gestures to the Sharks supporters on the sidelines.
With 28 minutes to play Jones withdrew the midfield pair of Adam Marsh and Kade Masters, and brought club captain Sam Carver and youngster Norton Payne into the fray as the game began to break and open up. Buoyed by the pair's arrival, Yetminster seemed to catch a second wind, and went on the offensive in search of a consolation strike, with James Dowding impressing on several occasions with dangerous, marauding runs down the right flank to complement his strong defensive work.
The Sharks finally got the goal that their bravery and spirit deserved in injury time, when Payne and Dowding linked up superbly on the right flank again, with the latter squaring the ball for Marcus Partridge to squeeze home a tidy finish from 9 yards out.
Ultimately for Yetminster it was a satisfying end to a difficult game in which for the third week in succession they had come up against a highly confrontational side that seemed happy to do what was necessary to get a result, regardless of the manner in which it was achieved. The Sharks can yet again be proud of their professional and respectful approach both on and off the field, refusing to be drawn into skulduggery and thuggish tactics.
