Stur came away with all three points from a highly entertaining ‘Battle of the Sturminsters’ at a cold afternoon at Churchill Close.

It was clear in the warm-up that the pitch was likely to suit the more scrappy nature of Sturminster Newton’s play due to the rain and cold covering the ground in the preceding week. This would also undoubtedly be a well-contested affair due to the feisty reverse encounter back at Sturminster Newton in 2010 when Marshall came away with a 2-1 victory after being 1-0 down at half time.

A slow start from the home team and fractious early encounters meant that Newton started slightly the brighter of the two sides, exploiting the wings and trying to get in behind the full backs Gage and Geddes. However the back line was keeping strong with Shear in the home goal taking control of most situations. At the other end there was little offering from the Marshall frontmen thanks to a lack of communication and little spark in the usual passing game. The half ended 0-0.

After some choice words from Morris and Abbott, the home team went back out after half time in good spirits and confident of making their stamp on the game and collecting all 3 points. So it was a surprise when Newton took the lead; a long ball was put over the top of Neville and as the centre back attempted to bring down the ball he inadvertently played it perfectly into the path of the chasing striker, who in turn made no mistake. 1-0. Despite this set-back, Neville made up for his mistake with a thunderous volley into the top corner after an over-hit corner from the left. 1-1. Again, however, Marshall were silenced. Another scrappy corner resulted in Newton taking the lead when a winger brought down the ball on the corner of the box on his chest and sent a looping volley over Shear, off the angle and into the goal. 2-1. Nevertheless the Marshall team spirit could not be destroyed and the home side hit back again within minutes. Geddes made a run down the right-wing on the overlap, whipping in a deep cross with which Manuel made no mistake from 20 yards, hitting a sweet right-foot volley into the bottom right corner. 2-2.

At this point, Morris made 3 substitutions for Marshall and the returning duo of Williams and S.Thomas alongside Reynolds entered the fray in exchange for G.Thomas, Miller and Geddes. These substitutions were vital to freshening up the team for what would prove to be a fast-paced and enthralling last 30 minutes.

The midfield battle was a physical one with feisty challenges and a physical tussle being the dish of the day. It was through this that Marshall won a free-kick 40 yards out. Gage drove the ball over the defensive line and Wood ran on to the ball, deftly flicking a header beyond the keeper and into the net. 3-2. The game was far from won, however, and with at least 20 minutes remaining Newton were bound to attack and create chances and Marshall were certainly put under pressure. Fortunately the defence remained strong, as did the work-rate all over the pitch which ensured the opposition were rushed into making mistakes. As the game looked like ending in nail-biting fashion, great skill from Manuel down the left created a crossing opportunity for the onrushing forwards. Goodwin was brought down but, thankfully, Thomas beat his man and bundled the ball into the net to put an end to a whirlwind second half. 4-2.

An effective performance which showed vast improvement from the recent dip in form and offered opportunity to build before a big game at home to Westlands next Saturday.