BRIDPORT RESERVES 0 PORTLAND UNITED 5

BRIDPORT boss Robin Townsend felt his side lacked desire and played as individuals during their defeat to Portland United in the Dorset Premier League Cup.

The Blues, who won 2-0 at the same venue in the quarter-finals of last season’s competition, won convincingly at the weekend thanks to a hat-trick from Charlie May.

Portland’s victory, their second over the Bees this term, sends them through to the last eight, which will take place in the new year.

“We were very poor,” said Townsend, whose team go to Cran-borne in the league this Saturday. “It was a just a bad day at the office.

“We had no desire and could have played all night and not scored.

“We played as individuals and not as a team and I don’t think Portland needed to get out of third gear.”

On the Cranborne fixture, he added: “It’s a massive game for us and we’ve got to get back on a winning run.”

Bridport’s afternoon at St Mary’s Field got off to a shocker when Shane Evans put through his own net just five minutes in.

Despite creating several good opportunities, Gary Bailey’s islanders couldn’t build on their lead before the break.

But they didn’t have long to wait in the second half for the next goal to come, Ashley Smith scoring after a miscued effort from May had fallen kindly to him.

Two minutes later it was 3-0, May turning the ball in from close range following Ed Bastick’s mazy run.

A groin problem saw Bastick replaced by Jake Price on the hour mark, and the substitute really did take his chance to show what he could do.

As well as hitting the woodwork twice, Price set up the fourth for May who powered in a header at the far post. And May completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes to go, converting from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the Bridport area.

On hie side’s display, Bailey added: “It was an excellent all-round performance.

“We dominated the first half without the goals coming, but it was terrific stuff in the second half.

“Bridport had a good side out but they couldn’t live with us, our passing and movement was excellent.

Bees: Fry, Baggs, Taylor (Cummings 60), Evans, Wise, Bulman, H Fleet, Legg (T Gale 65), Herbst (Stordy 70), Richardson, B Clarke

Blues: Boyt, Bessant (B Doidge 70), Whyton, Austin, Holland, Carmichael, Halloran, Bastick (Price 60), R Doidge, May, Smith