WESTLAND SPORTS RES 3

BEAMINSTER 4

BEAMINSTER beat neighbours Westlands Sports Reserves 4-3 in a Dorset Senior League thriller at Alvington.

The Rainbows’ second league win of the season was not enough to move them off the foot of the table, although they are now one point off Dorchester Sports Reserves with a game in hand.

Amid wet and cold conditions, Beaminster started brightly and created the early chances.

With Beaminster peppering the Westland goal, the home side had keeper Owen Male to thank with a string of fine saves to keep them in it.

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As Beaminster’s luck has gone this year they went behind five minutes before the break with a wonder strike from Josh Payne that keeper Murray Legg could only admire.

After a talking to at half-time the Rainbows came out positive with Isaac House replacing Jake Rowland in the top line.

House made an instant impact by running at the defence to set up Noah House for 1-1.

The game was pretty open now with both teams likely to score but it was Beaminster who took the lead with a well-struck left-footed strike from ex-Bridport man Callan Strelley to find the top corner.

Westland, who saw a Sam Fuller penalty superbly saved by Legg, then drew level.

However, gaps began to appear and Westland’s Jake Worth found himself unmarked at the far post to slot in for 2-2.

Beaminster’s heads did not drop and they got themselves back in front when a corner was delivered and met by Ryan Sweetman’s glancing but powerful header into the bottom corner.

Westland pulled themselves level again when the Rainbows’ defence was caught napping, allowing Payne to run through and beat Legg.

But Beaminster’s winner came from a touch of brilliance, Noah House firing in a free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box to complete his brace.

Beaminster manager Neil Holt was full of praise for his team.

He said: “The boys did everything that was asked of them and a bit more. We have found a bit of confidence and self-belief in the past few weeks.

“I thought we played really well and kept their chances to a minimum. We were really boosted by the return of Noah House who was hungrier than ever.

“In the past five or six weeks we have made a huge amount of progress and that’s down to the lads taking on board what they have been told.”

Man of the match: Harry Angel