Match report as Beaminster Reserves win Dorset Minor Cup

The Rainbows rounded off a brilliant season with a victory over a very well drilled and technically sound Donhead side, securing the Dorset Minor Cup.

The first half began a fairly cagey affair, with neither side finding much of an opening early on, as the Rainbows were expecting in a cup final.

As time went by, Beaminster grew into the game, with their most threatening passages seeming to come predominantly down Otis Butcher’s right wing.

Butcher's electric speed struck fear into Donhead’s defence, as his pace and tirelessly energetic pressing was credited for The Rainbows eventually finding the opener.

Rainbows veteran shot stopper Chris Park, who produced a dominant and commanding display, came to claim a corner, and saw an opportunity to get Butcher to make a run, proceeding to launch one into the channel for the winger to chase.

Butcher's relentless pressing caused a mix-up at the back, which ultimately resulted in a Donhead defender poking one into his own net.

Centre-back Ollie Greenham was his usual calm and composed self, perfectly partnering James Bird who dealt with absolutely everything that was thrown his way as Donhead went in search of an equaliser, seeing the rainbows into the break a goal to the better.

The Dons knew they had to act quickly if they were to change their fortunes in the second half, and took no time in finding the net as the ball broke to their right winger to neatly tuck past advancing Park drawing the scores.

This only served to rile Beaminster up as they hungrily searched for a way back into the lead. Stalwart John Kingston came closest to doing so as his free kick was impressively saved onto the post.

Kingston soon found himself stood over another free kick from a very similar area. This time his delivery was met by Dom McAllister, whose glancing header evaded the keeper and found the net to give the Rainbows a goal advantage.

Looking to put the game to bed, the rainbows continued to find holes in the Donhead defence who had committed men forward in a desperate attempt to turn the tide of the final.

Subsequently, substitute Black found himself totally unmarked in the six yard box and tapped home with his very first touch, after a piece of persistent attacking play from Arlo Castle, providing the assist to double the lead.

The Dons were not done yet, and managed to claw back a consolation goal with a strike from distance.

All hope of a comeback was eventually squashed when a Donhead substitute was shown a red card for shoving the referee.

Starting XI: Chris Park (GK), Milo Francis, Ollie Greenham, James Bird, James Hill, Mason Damon (C), Dom McAllister, Arlo Castle, Otis Butcher, John Kingston, Jake Rowland.

Subs used: Black, Hawkins, Callum Stanton, Ben McKey.