BRIDPORT RESERVES 2 LYTCHETT RED TRIANGLE 1

TRISTAN Gale was his side’s match-winner at St Mary’s Field on Saturday as the Bees moved into the last four of the Dorset Senior Trophy.

The hosts made hard work of seeing off their Dorset League Division One opponents, but all boss Robin Townsend cared about was the result, not the performance.

Townsend’s men had to come from a goal down to reach the semi-finals, a lapse of concentration in defence allowing Lytchett to take the lead with 25 minutes gone.

However, a Chris Herbst penalty brought the Bees level in the second half and then Gale headed in 10 minutes from time to win the tie.

“Our confidence has been pretty low so it was all about the result and not the performance,” said Townsend.

“We started pretty well and on another day Jack Scovell would have scored four or five, but even though we’re not taking our chances it’s good that we’re creating them.

“They went 1-0 up when we fell asleep at a corner and allowed their lad to score with a free header.

“And then they had two glorious chances to score again but Jamie Fry is in form and made a couple of really important saves.”

He continued: “We defended superbly in the second half and the players listened to what we wanted them to do.

“We were then given what, if I’m being honest, was a soft penalty and Chris Herbst made it 1-1.

“Then it was only us that looked like winning and we got a second goal with about 10 minutes to go.

“It was a great delivery from a corner and Tristan Gale headed in.”

Bridport now join Chickerell, Portland United Reserves and Stourpaine in the hat for the semi-final draw.

The Bees get back to the bread and butter of league football on the first Saturday of the New Year when they travel to Blandford United.

Bees: Fry, Baggs, Peart, Stordy, Gale, Herbst, Day, Legg (McAllister 60), Cummings, Scovell, Bulman.

Sub not used: Fouracre