WAYTOWN HOUNDS 3 BEAMINSTER 2

WAYTOWN Hounds recorded a memorable victory over their higher-league opponents in the semi-final of the Edwards Charity Cup under the floodlights at Bridport’s St Mary’s Field.

After an even, but goalless first half, the game sprung into life after 52 minutes when Jon Legg, the former Charmouth marksmen, coolly slotted home from the edge of the penalty area to give keeper Ben Fleet no chance.

Beaminster were immediately stung into action and equalised within two minutes through striker Greg Channing.

At that stage it appeared as though Beaminster would seize the initiative and overpower the Hounds.

However, Waytown were up for the battle and defended doggedly and broke quickly with dangerous counter-attacks.

It was from one of those quick breaks that they took the lead once again with Paul Watkins slotting home on 65 minutes.

Beaminster responded with concerted attacks as the Waytown players began to tire.

The pace of Beaminster’s attacks down the left flank created good opportunities to equalise before Greg Channing popped up again to restore parity with 15 minutes remaining.

Beaminster stormed forward in search of the winner, hitting a post with one good effort and sending a free header from a corner over the bar with keeper Lee Cuff a spectator.

As players struggled with cramp, the game became very open but, to everyone’s surprise, Waytown mustered the energy for one more foray into the Beaminster half.

Keeper Fleet could only parry a strong shot from Legg and with his team- mates committed to attack was left with little support allowing Nat Bowditch to scramble home a winner in the 87th min- ute to send the Waytown camp into delirium.

Waytown will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Lyme Regis and Bridport Under-18s in their first ever Edwards Charity Cup final.

Lyme meet the young Bees tonight at St Mary’s Field (7.30pm).