DRIMPTON 3

LYTCHETT MATRAVERS 1

DRIMPTON booked their place in the Dorset Minor Cup final after a mammoth effort enabled them to beat Lytchett Matravers 3-1.

Lytchett started the brighter, playing some neat passing football in addition to balls over the top for their fast wide men to run on to.

This caused the Greens some early problems but a mixture of poor finishing and last-ditch defending kept the ball out of the net.

However, Lytchett took a deserved lead on the 30-minute mark when a through ball was supplied across the six-yard box for an easy finish.

Drimpton were not creating much but took note from the fact the Lytchett defence were struggling dealing with high balls.

READ MORE: Drimpton win 11-goal epic

A free-kick to Drimpton five minutes before was awarded on the edge of the 18-yard box and was superbly curled home by Chris Whitburn to give the Greens a lifeline.

Just before half-time Lytchett went through on goal with just the keeper to beat only to rattle the post.

Attacking down the slope in the second half proved yet again to be many visiting teams’ downfall.

Good early pressure resulted in a corner to Drimpton and a lovely delivery by John Kingston was met by a towering Ryan Gay header which flew in the net.

Drimpton’s confidence grew and they started winning the little battles, the defence handled the away team’s attacks and gave the midfield and forward line something to build on.

Another free-kick was awarded wide on the left and this time the prolific Tim Hussey curled in a beauty to give the Greens a fantastic win and a cup final to look forward to in their first season of reformation.

Drimpton manager Andy Loudon said: “Before the game we spoke about not wanting our season to end.

“In the second half especially the players certainly repaid us. That was a very good team we were up against.

“The second half yet again was so strong, closing Lytchett down and they didn’t like our players in their faces.

“Such a great performance which makes the whole club, players and officials so proud.

“The whole team put in a man of the match performance.”