WEYMOUTH 2

Thomson 28, Copp 52

WIMBORNE TOWN 0

WEYMOUTH are now just one game away from sealing a hat-trick of Dorset Senior Cup titles under boss Jason Matthews, as they ran out winners in their last-four clash with Wimborne Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Goals from Ben Thomson and Jordan Copp ensured the Terras booked their place in the final of the competition, where they will meet either Gillingham Town or Swanage Town & Herston.

Boss Matthews signalled his intent to progress by naming a strong starting XI.

The Terras’ manager also gave a start to youngster Dom Panesar-Dower, who has impressed for the reserve set-up and had a taste of league action for the first team in recent weeks.

Mark Molesley captained the hosts and Ashley Wells took up a position at centre-half.

The Wimborne team had a familiar look to it for the hosts from bygone campaigns. Former Dorchester Town players from last term included Toby and Luke Holmes, the latter, the son of Cuthbury boss Matty Holmes.

Dan Cann, once a target of Matthews to bring to the Bob Lucas Stadium, also started up front for the away side.

After a quiet start from both teams, it was Weymouth who fashioned the first chance on 18 minutes.

After his initial corner was cleared, winger Copp found room inside the box but, in an effort to chip the ball to the back post, he failed to keep the effort down.

Copp then fizzed a free-kick at the Wimborne wall soon after, following a foul on Thomson right on the edge of the box.

The Terras showed patience in possession against their Southern League South & West counterparts and they got their reward on 28 minutes.

Copp burst clear down the left and delivered a precise ball across goal for Thomson, who made no mistake when tasked with the easiest of tap-ins to make it 1-0.

But soon after, the visiting Magpies came close to levelling the tie up.

A mistake from Panesar-Dower allowed the ball to be teed up for Wimborne skipper James Stokoe, who drilled an effort which Tom McHale in the Terras’ goal just about did enough to turn past the post.

Stokoe then tried his luck again, this time from all of 30 yards out, once again forcing McHale to push the ball to safety as the away side finished the first half the stronger.

Despite leading, Weymouth made two changes at half-time with Stuart Fleetwood and Sean Stewart replacing Thomson and Chris Allen.

And Fleetwood had a golden chance to make it 2-0 four minutes into the second half. A ball driven across goal by Mark Cooper was met by the experienced striker, who could only hit the post from two yards out and the follow-up was smashed over the bar by Panesar-Dower.

But on 52 minutes, Weymouth did double their advantage.

Copp, who looked lively on the night, raced through and found the net with a shot which clipped the inside of the post before going in.

Molesley twisted and turned inside the Wimborne box in a bid to add a third, but his low drive only found the side netting.

Toby Holmes then went down in the box at the other end under the challenge of Wells, with referee Martin Underhay waving away cries for a penalty.

Luke Holmes then cut inside for the visitors and was allowed to hit a curling effort with his right foot just past the post.

A Wimborne free-kick in a dangerous area was charged down by the Terras - that came before Weymouth had a chance to kill the game off.

A neat through ball from Panesar-Dower found Billy Lowes, who could have found the net against his loan club from the turn of the year, but he failed to hit the target.

A mistake from McHale then almost set up a nervy finish for the hosts as he dropped a routine ball inside his area, which allowed Toby Holmes to square for Luke Holmes, who put the ball over the bar.

That mistake was not to cost the Terras on the night however, as they advanced into the final of the competition with relative comfort.

Terras: McHale, Wells, Cooper, Lowes, Wannell, Brooks, Copp, Allen (Stewart 46), Panesar-Dower, Thomson (Fleetwood 46), Molesley (Jevon 70). Subs not used: Davis, Evans

Wimborne: Benfield, Penny, Hester, Maybury, S Davidson, Kellaway, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Cann (Walker 69), Lovell (J Davidson 63). Subs not used: Preston, Cocklin

Bookings: Terras – Copp

Wimborne - None

Referee: Martin Underhay (Weymouth)

Attendance: 153