|
|
|
Gills sunk by Sills as Weymouth retain Dorset Senior CupTWO GOALS for striker Tim Sills ensured the Terras retained the Dorset Senior Cup but they were pushed all the way by a spirited Gillingham Town outfit at the Avenue. Having made seven changes from the side that drew at King’s Lynn on Saturday, the Terras blooded a handful of regulars from the club’s reserve set-up in their starting XI against a Gillingham Town side that won the cup back in 2010. Weymouth boss Jason Matthews also rested himself, handing the gloves to number two keeper Steve Boore. Gillingham’s Harry Baker, Phil Ormrod and Jon Vance, who were all on target in their side’s 7-0 win over Bitton last time out, retained their starting spots. And with the Terras’ first chance of the contest, they went agonisingly close to notching an early opener. A free-kick from George Rigg was whipped in dangerously on the angle, and Mark Cooper headed straight at former Bridport stopper Sam Filkins in the Gills’ goal. At the other end, Gillingham’s Ashley Clarke let fly with an effort from range, which was comfortably gathered by Boore, on what was probably his biggest night in a Weymouth shirt so far. On 16 minutes, Matthews’ men took the lead. A drilled cross from the left was touched into the corner by Sills, leaving Filkins with no chance. Looking for a second, Cameron Brown then centred for striker Stewart Yetton, whose glancing header was well saved. From the resulting corner, George Rigg somehow stabbed wide from close range. But the second then came on 37 minutes. Sills nodding home his second of the night after a neat delivery from Cooper on the right. Gillingham’s Baker showed his ability as he shifted the ball on to his right foot and hit a strike which rattled the bar just before the interval. And the Western League side showed they were up for the fight once again after the break, with two chances in quick succession falling to Baker and Ormrod respectively. Some acrobatics from Rigg then led to his overhead kick being charged down just past the hour mark. Chris Shephard was then introduced in place of Brown for the Terras, who lived dangerously as a chance for Vance went begging. The Gills did get their goal however, a snap shot from Ormrod on the edge of the box beat Boore, who really should have done better to thwart the attempt. The Terras appeared to look nervy after seeing the deficit halved, but they came within inches of restoring their cushion when Yetton’s header stuck a post. And, despite five minutes of time added on, keeper Filkins going up to attack a late Gills’ corner, and Clarke heading wide at the death, the Terras held firm to retain their county silverware.
|
