CRANBORNE manager Ian Beattie is targeting a "halfway" finish in the Dorset Premier League after his side romped to a 5-0 home win over Sturminster Marshall on Saturday.

The Cranes went 1-0 up on the half hour mark when Garry Clarke hammered home.

But they had to wait until the second period before the floodgates opened, as Oli Hepworth made it two on 55 minutes and Graham Antell struck on 77.

James Antell piled on the misery for Marshall two minutes from time, before Graham Antell bagged his second on the whistle.

This was Cranborne's first league win in a month and as a result, Beattie's men sit 10th in the DPL standings.

The Cranes boss now has his sights on securing a respectable place among the mid-table sitters.

He said: "We're looking at finishing halfway.

"We're definitely competitive enough to do that - we're not going to beat every side in the league but we're going to give them a decent game.

"I think we have got eight matches left and we're looking to take 12 points from them.

"If we do that, we'll finish comfortably in mid-table and then hopefully we can go a step further next season."

Cranes' thumping win over Marshall followed the visitors' 9-0 destruction at Portland United on March 8.

Beattie knew his rivals were low on self-belief and was determined to take full advantage.

He added: "I think Sturminster Marshall's confidence is fairly low and it was important that we got the first goal.

"Once we had, the result was never in doubt.

"It was very pleasing and I was delighted that we won the game so comfortably."

While the Cranes are aiming to ascend the table, Blandford United are making a strong push of their own.

They came from behind to stun Poole Borough 3-1 at Park Road.

Paul Honeybun gave the Hornets the lead after 50 minutes but Saul Boulton levelled just five minutes later.

Jamie Filkins put the Royals in charge on 70, before Simon Hyde sealed the points on 81.

Holt United got their first league win in four matches after claiming a cool 2-1 triumph at Swanage Town and Herston.

Simon Edwards put the visitors in front after 20 minutes and Ross Mills doubled the gap on 65.

Jamie Dunn pulled one back for Derek Beale's side five minutes later but it was not enough to save the Swans from their fifth straight league loss.

Meanwhile, Hamworthy United fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw with Bridport at the County Ground.

The Bees stung them after 35 minutes when James Maidment fired them ahead.

But the Hammers refused to lie down and Darrell Williams netted 15 minutes from time to share the spoils.

In the day's other game, Cobham Sports were trounced 4-0 at champions Westland Sports.

Phil Ormrod, Richard Lindegaard, Karl Mitchell and Danny Coll were on target for the Yeovil outfit.

This result leaves Sports second from bottom of the table and merely hovering above Bridport on goals scored.