BULLISH manager Adi Trimby is convinced Parley Sports are equipped to gatecrash the Dorset Premier League title race.

James Bailey-Pearce’s double helped Parley chalk up a 2-1 win over 2012 champions Westlands to maintain fourth position.

Parley, whose fortunes have been revived under Trimby, have won the competition 12 times – their most recent success coming in 1985 when it was known as the Dorset Combination.

Trimby’s troops have already been written off by Portland boss Gary Bailey who predicts his team – back-to-back title winners – will slug it out with Merley Cobham and Hamworthy Rec.

Parley are currently seven points behind leaders Merley and victory over Westlands at Christchurch Road ended a three-match winless run.

Trimby, who took the reins in September 2013, told the Daily Echo: “If I’m honest, at the start of the season, I was probably looking at the top six but now I’m thinking why not have a go. I think we can definitely mount a challenge and are certainly hoping to.

“I saw the Portland manager had said he thought it would be a three-horse race but we are not even through November yet. There are a lot of games and a lot of points to play for.

“We have just had a blip where we didn’t get what we deserved but we played well enough so I wasn’t too concerned. There are going to be plenty of twists and turns and all the teams at the top have to play each other.

“We are seven points off the top and have already beaten Merley and knocked Portland out of the League Cup. We have to play them twice in the league and both Merley and Hamworthy Recreation once. There is still plenty to play for.”

Bailey-Pearce paved the way for Parley to extend to six matches their unbeaten home record when he opened the scoring against Westlands in the 29th minute.

However, having had Rob Wheeler sent off, the 10 men from Somerset levelled through Leo Hayward before Parley missed two penalties with efforts from Toby Holmes and Dan Hiscock both saved.

As Parley laid siege to the Westlands goal, Bailey-Pearce popped up to settle the issue in favour of the hosts with a finely-taken winner deep into added time.

Trimby, who said both penalties had been “poor”, added: “We had the vast majority of the game and played some really good stuff in difficult conditions.

“We were in control but left ourselves exposed at the back as we tried to go for a second goal. It all got a bit tetchy after they had equalised but we camped in their half and it was a relief when James finally got the winner late on.”

Parley: Jones, Cook, Milton, Mardy, Williams (Hickford, 75), Wilson, Britten (Bosley, 65), Trimby, Bailey-Pearce, Holmes, Hiscock. Unused sub: Pratt.