BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

HAMWORTHY UTD RES 6

BRIDPORT Reserves’ manager Shaun Annetts labelled the Bees’ 6-2 reverse against Hamworthy United Reserves as a “crushing defeat”.

Annetts’ men had been in contention at 2-2 thanks to Sam Handyside and Alfie Ward goals, but the Hammers pulled clear with four unanswered goals, with Sam Carter striking four times.

The Bees’ second string have now lost their past four league games with a 20-7 aggregate score since beating Blandford United 5-0 away in late October.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Annetts felt time was needed to resurrect his team’s fortunes.

He said: “The result wasn’t what we wanted. I think the atmosphere in the team is very, very good. They’re a great bunch of lads, they’re enthusiastic, but I’ve got to stop these results.

“It’s not easy, I can’t just wave a magic wand. We’re quite exciting going forward but we do leave ourselves open and far too exposed and we’re getting punished heavily.

“We can’t keep conceding, it’s down to me to think of something, whether it be formation or personnel, or both.”

Commenting on a busy first-half, Annetts felt Handyside’s strike to be the “goal of the game”.

He said: “We had all the possession and all the chances in the first 10 minutes but we conceded.

“Then we went up the other end and got a wonderful equaliser, it was the goal of the game. Sam picked up the ball and shuffled it to his right foot and curled a beautiful shot into the left corner.

“For our second, their keeper went to his right for a shot but Alfie Ward was first to the rebound.

“Individual mistakes gifted Hamworthy a third and fourth before half-time and everything we tried in the second half the keeper was equal to it.

“We left ourselves open to the counter and got hit twice.”

Bridport remain in 13th place in the standings, just four points ahead of bottom side Sherborne Town Reserves.

Bees: Fleet Storey, Hayter, Mansley (Riley 75), Baggs, B Scadding, Gall, Ward, Weedon (Bagg 80), Handyside, Cooper (McAllister 70)