HAMWORTHY Recreation boss Steve Manuel is leaving the pundits to discuss his side's title chances, following their Dorset Premier League Charity Shield triumph on Saturday.

Rec struck a last minute winner to defeat Westland Sports 4-3 in the dramatic showpiece at Magna Road, which the celebrated the division's 50th anniversary.

The high-scoring hosts are hotly tipped as one of the favourites to take the Dorset Premier championship from their Yeovil rivals in May.

Manuel's men are currently second in the standings and just a point behind leaders Portland United.

But their manager is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and will not let this title talk go to his players' heads.

He said: "It's nice when other people talk about us winning the league because it means we're doing things right.

"There is a long time left but we have a strong squad of 17 or 18 players, which is what you need to do well.

"The lads had the shield in the changing room and I told them, That's one trophy in the bag, let's put some more alongside it'."

Westland took an early lead after just five minutes but Mike Notley levelled on 10.

This proved the calm before the storm and Rec surged into a 3-1 lead, courtesy of Chris O'Connor on the hour mark and Dan Manuel five minutes later.

But the champions punished the hosts for taking their foot off the gas and had equalised with five minutes left.

An enthralling fight, befitting the Dorset Premier's grand occasion, ensued and Dan Manuel struck again with a minute left to send the Magna Road faithful home happy.

It was not the easiest game for manager Manuel to watch, as he watched his team drop a two goal advantage.

But he admitted the contest was "the perfect advert" for the division.

Manuel added: "We're certainly an entertaining side to watch and if we could stop conceding goals, it would make my job a lot easier.

"We're a very attack-minded team and the result was we couldn't have had a better advert for our league than Saturday's game."

The Magna Road match was followed by a dinner to commemorate the Dorset Premier's golden anniversary.

Representatives from all 15 clubs attended, as every team, apart from the Shield participants, was given the weekend off.

Former Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier gave a speech, following the meal.