WESTLAND SPORTS 1 BRIDPORT RESERVES 3

BEES’ chief Shaun Annetts is certain the belief is now there among his young squad after they surprised Westland Sports to seal a 3-1 win.

A Tristan Gale brace followed skipper Harry Fleet’s opener to ensure Bridport Reserves bagged their third league win of the campaign.

“I was thrilled really, and not particularly surprised,” said manager Annetts.

“It all started with the good result and performance against Cranborne a few weeks ago.

“It was a tremendous result a tremendous performance and, without trying to blow our own trumpet, there is a bit of belief now within the lads.

“The players are starting to believe now that we can hold our own in this division.

“It is a group of young players and it certainly bodes well for the future.

“I was pleased and proud with all of them again and Westland agreed that we thoroughly deserved our win.”

The Bees broke the deadlock with around half an hour gone when captain Fleet produced a thumping effort which whistled into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Early in the second half, a curled free-kick from Sam Day was then met by Gale at the back post, who made no mistake to tap home a second for the visitors.

Bridport goalkeeper Josh Hadley was then adjudged to have rushed out too aggressively to claim a through ball and the match official awarded Westland a penalty, which Leo Hayward duly converted to get them back in it.

But, despite the hosts rallying at 2-1 down, Gale was on hand yet again to wrap up all three points for the Bees as he sped through on the counter and struck an early shot that found the net to give him his second and Bridport’s third of the afternoon.

“Tristan made a big difference,” the manager added.

“He played up front and everything he did, including the way he held the ball up and interlinked with other players, made him a threat all day.

“He certainly has that bit of pace, he frightens teams and played exceptionally well.”

The victory means the Bees occupy 11th spot in the division, one place above Holt United, who they meet at St Mary’s Field on Saturday (3pm). A win there could see Bridport spring into the top-10.

Bees: Hadley, King, Day, Stordy, Herbst (East 80), Blair (Baker 60), Neale (S Gale 70), Fleet, Scovell, T Gale, Jones