PORTLAND PANTHERS 1

BEAMINSTER 2

BEAMINSTER dug deep to beat Portland Panthers 2-1 in a competitive Dorset League Division One tussle at Grove Corner.

Murray Legg’s men now have five wins from six games in all competitions and are up to fourth in the league.

It took Isaac House only 15 minutes before getting on the scoresheet, his left-footed shot flying past Panthers’ keeper Ian Bickerstaff.

And the ex-Chickerell shot-stopper needed to be at his best to tip House’s stinging drive onto the crossbar five minutes later.

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However, Beaminster made it 2-0 as new signing Dom McAllister received the ball, drilled a low pass to House who combined with Robin Jones and John Kingston, with the latter assisting Jake Rowland who curled the ball into the top corner from 20 yards to cap a fine team goal.

Panthers gave a signal of their ability, however, when Billy Hathaway beat Jonathan Gudge in the Rainbows’ goal to make it 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half, House and Jacob Parsons forced saves from Bickerstaff as the Rainbows could not find a killer third goal.

Instead, Panthers rallied and hit the woodwork twice via the post and crossbar late on, one a spectacular 35-yard free-kick.

Gudge then produced a good save with his feet to ensure Beaminster went back to west Dorset with three points.

Legg told the club’s social media team: “A tough place to play but in the first half we played some really nice football.

“We had to battle it out in the second half but we did just that. We will look to continue to build this momentum when we are back in action on the 17th as we seek to finish the league campaign as high as possible.

“I thought Ryan Sweetman and Russell Legg marshalled the defence well and Dom sat in front of them and provided support to both the attack and defence, he was a great link.

“Parsons was strong in the middle of the park winning numerous headers. Jones kept finding dangerous pockets of space and House and Rowland both hit great strikes.”

Rainbows: Gudge, Pomeroy, P Hill, Sweetman, R Legg, D McAllister, Parsons, Jones, I House, Rowland, Kingston. Subs used: Kirkbride, Co Lowden.

OCD Cleaning Services Beaminster man of the match: Dom McAllister.