BRIDPORT RESERVES 4 MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 2

BRIDPORT Reserves will go into tonight’s Dorset Senior Trophy final with Chickerell United on a high after toppling Merley Cobham Sports at St Mary’s Field on Saturday.

In what was manager Robin Townsend’s last home game in charge, he hailed his side’s character to secure all three points and keep their momentum going into the crunch clash with the Chickens.

He told Echosport: “To go out winning my last two league games I am over the moon to be fair.

“In the second half I think our desire shone through and we got what we deserved in the end, which was pleasing just before the cup final.”

It was high-flying Merley who opened the scoring when the Bees failed to clear a ball from inside the area, but Bridport restored parity before the break through young striker Josh Baker when he showed good awareness to slot home from 10 yards out.

Simon Gale then had a goal disallowed by the officials, but it was Ben Clarke who eventually put the home side ahead after good work from substitute Tristan Gale.

Jack Scovell, who managed to shake off a knock picked up last week to come on as a substitute, then fed Clarke once again to make it 3-1.

Merley pulled a goal back straight from the kick-off, but as they pushed forward in search of a leveller, Scovell calmly sealed the points for Townsend’s men.

The Bees’ chief, who will hand over the reins to new boss Shaun Annetts for Bridport’s final two league fixtures following tonight’s (7.45pm) final at the County Ground, added: “The players have been fantastic for the last four or five games with their desire to do things right.

“Now we just need to go to the final and hopefully we will win.

“We won’t take Chickerell lightly, they have Joe Charles and Warren White who are good players.

"We had Pete Jarvis here at the beginning of the season and he is a guy who constantly works his socks off.

“Whether we win it or not I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the club and I’d like to thank Trevor (Senior) immensely.

"He has helped me and I hold him in really high esteem.

“There are then two games left but I am away so it will be good to give Shaun a couple of matches to put his authority on it.”

Darren Lock and Dan Peart are set to feature for the Bees this evening.

Bees: Fry, Dunlop, Stordy, Herbst, Day, Baggs, Fleet, Bulman, S Gale (Scovell 70), Clarke, Baker (T Gale 60). Sub not used: Fouracre