9:17am Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Rob Meech
BRIDPORT 0 LARKHALL ATHLETIC 0
(aet, Bees win 5-4 on pens)
JAMIE Fry produced a heroic performance with the gloves before catapulting Bridport into the semi-finals of the Les Phillips Cup by scoring the decisive penalty in a dramatic shoot-out last night.
The makeshift keeper has been called upon as an emergency measure in the past six matches and showed his worth by shutting out Larkhall Athletic.
And after keeping a clean sheet during the 120-minute stalemate, Fry converted Bridport’s fifth successful spot-kick to book a home date with Bishop Sutton in the last four.
Scenes of undiluted joy enveloped St Mary’s Field, while Trevor Senior, whose dream of winning the cup for the third time lives on, punched the air in delight.
Boss Senior named an unchanged side for this quarter-final tie against a side that were promoted to Toolstation Western League Premier Division as champions last season.
But their higher-league status did not translate into superiority on the pitch as Bridport matched the Larks in every department during the early skirmishes.
Generally, clear-cut chances were at a premium but Fry was summoned into action on 27 minutes, pulling off a sensational reflex stop to deny Kieran Baggs from close range.
Fry then foiled Jamie Lyons courtesy of another top-drawer save before Lee Bowen rattled the crossbar in the aftermath as the visitors sought an opener.
Bridport returned the compliment by striking the woodwork shortly afterwards when a Jamie Symes effort beat custodian Owen Dunn, only to ricochet off a post and dribble across the face of goal.
Sam Charles, Matt Condliffe and skipper Darren Lock were all booked in an ill-disciplined second half that failed to enliven spectators.
Larkhall were restricted to speculative efforts while at the opposite end, the Bees lacked the killer final ball with Charles often shackled by a resolute visiting defence.
Neither side did enough to win the match in the regulation 90 minutes but the introduction of Roger Cummings galvanised the home side, who showed much more industry in extra-time.
A rasping Darren Watts shot cannoned off the crossbar before substitute Cummings saw his goalbound header hacked off the line as Larkhall dug in to weather a persistent storm.
This they did and since a goal for either side was not forthcoming, it was left to the lottery of a penalty shoot-out to determine who would progress.
Larkhall converted their first four spot-kicks amid rising tension at St Mary’s Field but they were unable to gain any advantage as Jamie Symes, Charles, Dan Wise and Watts all found the target.
And when Rhodri Smith watched his effort hit a post, it was left to Fry who capped a tremendous personal display by lashing home before being swamped by his ecstatic team-mates.
Bees: Fry, A Symes, Condliffe (Cummings 90), Lock, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Wise, Charles, Watts, C Clarke.
Booked: Charles, Lock, Condliffe Man of the Match: Ryan Hayter Attendance: 80
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