Dorset Senior Trophy Final

BRIDPORT RES 0 PARLEY SPORTS 1

EUPHORIC Parley Sports up-staged Bridport Reserves to clinch the Dorset Senior Trophy.

Barney Grit’s third-minute header was all that separated the two sides against the backdrop of a sizeable Jewson Stadium crowd.

The Dorset Senior League champions belied their lower-division status by dominating the reserves for large parts of the contest.

Grit’s goal settled their nerves whereas the Bees struggled to impose themselves on a night of high drama.

An improved second-half display threatened to yield a leveller but a dearth of clear-cut opportunities ultimately proved costly.

Reserves’ boss Mike Savage, who admitted this was his lowest moment in charge, lamented an “awful” first-half display in which his troops froze.

Savage said: “We didn’t turn up in the first half and it’s disappointing that not enough players produced what they can.

“Too many went missing and although we became stronger the longer the game went on, we didn’t have many chances.

“Parley could have been three goals up inside 20 minutes and we were always chasing the game after their goal.

“I thought that if we played to our potential we would win quite comfortably but we didn’t perform.

“There are certain players who aren’t up to it and that showed.”

Parley’s solitary goal came from their first meaningful attack and served to spur them on while it left their opponents reeling.

Bridport were limited to speculative efforts in a bid to claw their way back into the match.

Skipper Steven Churchill blazed over from the edge of the box before Ben Clarke, who earlier had been foiled by stopper Tom Edwards, fired wide.

Parley captain Paul Mitchell drew a fine save from Carter, who tipped a rasping strike on to the crossbar on the cusp of half-time.

Savage’s stern words at the break seemed to have done the trick as the reserves played with much more verve, epitomised by substitute Roger Cummings.

Cummings replaced the ineffective Martin Bulman and his impetus drove the Dorset Premier League outfit forward.

But chances were still at a premium with Savage’s side unable to unlock a Parley back four that never looked troubled.

Seven minutes of stoppage time produced no goalmouth action, leaving Bridport to reflect on a night that promised so much but delivered so little.

However, the Reserves have no time to dwell on this setback with Hamworthy United Reserves visiting St Mary’s Field tonight (7.45pm) for a league tussle.

Bees: Carter, J Maidment (McClements 78). G Maidment (Boyer 11), Churchill, Fellows, Ward, Stordy, Jones, B Clarke, Penn, M Bulman (Cummings 46)