WESTLAND SPORTS 1

BRIDPORT RESERVES 0

BRIDPORT Reserves’ boss Shaun Annetts was keen to take positives from his side’s 1-0 League Cup defeat at Westland Sports.

A Scott Smith header was all that separated the two teams at Alvington, as the windy conditions produced by Storm Brian contributed to a game lacking in chances.

But Annetts told the Bridport News he felt the Bees’ reserves had “a good go” despite the loss.

He said: “We gave it a good go. I truly believe that we did enough to get to extra time. We matched them in most areas and restricted them.

“A massive well done to the players. We have to take the positives into Blandford on Saturday.”

Annetts also revealed that a change in formation was instigated after conceding five goals in each of the Bees’ past two games.

He said: “There’s no secret that in the two previous games we have shipped five goals. We won against Wareham but clearly we had to deal with that and change the way we set things up.

“Westland are a good, good side. We had the right attitude and we contained them well.

“We made a chance early on as Riley Weedon was played through by Kriss Radivojsa – he just needed a touch and he could have scored.

“We did clear one off the line but Liam Norris, our goalkeeper, had one save to make and he did extremely well. He wasn’t diving around saving chance after chance.”

The reserves’ manager was also buoyed by teenage Argentine winger Santiago Alonso’s performance.

“Kriss picked up a hamstring injury and we brought on Santiago – a wonderful little player. He’s only 19 and he’s got pace and he’s very, very skilful. He caused them a number of problems.

“We got him down the right channel and he whipped in a good ball for Josh Hull, who got on the end of it and it went over the crossbar.

Annetts was nevertheless disappointed with the manner in which the Bees conceded Westland’s goal.

“I was very, very pleased with everybody’s performance, but the goal we conceded was a soft goal from a left-wing corner.

“Their guy had a free header just outside the six yard box and he scored,” he said.

Westland: Watts, Wells, Manley, Smith, Plumley, Green, Napier, Matuszewski, Hodges, Herrin, Irwin. Subs: Wake, Payne, Carney, Hayward

Bees: Norris, Paul (Bagg 60), Storey, Weedon (Scadding 80), Mansley, Gall, Cooper, Ward, Hull, Radivojsa (Alonso 30), Handyside. Sub not used: Tozer