GILLINGHAM TOWN 1

BLANDFORD UNITED 2

Blandford win 2-1 after extra-time

BLANDFORD United were in celebratory mood after beating Gillingham Town 2-1 in extra-time to reach the Dorset Senior Trophy final.

Following their dramatic win, the Royals will face fellow Dorset Premier League side Merley Cobham Sports in the final on Tuesday, May 18.

In what was a chaotic cup match, Gills started on top as former Dorchester Town trialist Elliot Bevis tested Royals keeper Michael Gleadall with a free-kick.

Gleadall also kept out Jack Dicker and Ryan Down before his opposite number Miles Fielding was called into action from a corner in the 25th minute.

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Blandford grew in confidence after that attack and duly took the lead on the half-hour mark.

Gillingham were caught out by a cutting long ball from Archie McCarthy to Sam Watson, who dummied Fielding to score.

The Royals were ahead for just three minutes as the linesman flagged for a Mike Johnson handball from a fierce Dicker shot.

From the resulting penalty, Bevis stepped up confidently to place a shot into the bottom-left corner with Gleadall diving the wrong way.

Gillingham survived a scare before half-time when Brad Pike smashed a free-kick against the bar.

But the hosts again started a half strongly when hitting the post twice in six minutes – the second shot coming from ex-Magpies man Aaron Rodriguez who was unlucky to see his shot roll back into Gleadall’s gloves.

Pike hit the post and Johnson headed a corner over as Blandford came back at Town before Sam Paterson was sin-binned for the men in orange.

McCarthy was denied by a fabulous stop from Fielding late on, meaning an extra 30 minutes were required.

Watson and Elliot Manson fired wide for the Royals in an uneventful opening 15 minutes.

With penalties beckoning, the Royals found a thrilling winner when Pike fired past Fielding from inside the area.

Gillingham mounted late pressure but could not find an equaliser as Blandford took their place in May’s final.

Speaking to Echosport, elated Royals’ joint-interim coach Rob Andre said: “It was brilliant, I was certain it was going to penalties.

“We were thinking about penalty takers but it’s always nice to score in extra-time, especially in the last five minutes.

“There were a couple of occasions where we broke away and had some half-decent opportunities, but so did Gillingham.

“Both teams had good chances and Gillingham hit the post – we just felt it could be our day the more chances they missed.

“When we broke away and that ball went into the back of the net I can’t quite some up my feelings, it was a special moment.

“There was that disbelief and then that nervousness. You know time’s going to stand still for that last four or five minutes. It was tough!”

Blandford can now dream of a lifting the trophy, although Andre stayed cautious.

“There’s a long way to go,” he added. “We’ve got a tough game but we’ve done well to get here.

“The players have been superb all the way through the season and the competition.

“You always hope your name could be on the cup. Anything can happen in football and we’re hopeful we can make a good competition of it – you never know.”

Blandford: Gleadall, Oliver, Smith, M Johnson, Parry, E Manson, Mason, B Pike, McCarthy, T Pike, Watson. Subs: Arnett, Berry.