SHERBORNE TOWN RES 4 BRIDPORT RES 1

BRIDPORT failed to take their chances at the vital moments against Sherborne Town Reserves, as they saw the Zebras leapfrog them in the Dorset Premier League table.

Playing into a strong wind at Raleigh Grove in the opening period, Bridport fell behind on 15 minutes when a short corner was not dealt with and a cross, which carried on the breeze, deceived Jamie Fry in the visitors’ goal and flew into the top corner.

And having been caught out by another set-piece to go 2-0 down at half-time, Bridport manager Robin Townsend knew the next goal would be vital.

Jack Scovell and Tom Fouracre then squandered guilt-edge opportunities with the wind for the visitors and the Zebras made them pay once more.

Scovell did eventually get his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken individual effort to make it 3-1, but a mistake from Fry once more was pounced on by the home side to sum up a poor day at the office for Townsend’s troops.

“I wouldn’t have said the scoreline flattered them but we had plenty of chances,” Townsend said.

“It could have quite easily finished 5-5 or something like that, we didn’t take our chances and they took theirs so you have to say fair play to them for doing that.

“We were defending into the wind in the first half so they put a lot of long throws and other set- pieces into the box and that was our main downfall.

“At 3-1 we had numerous chances to score but nobody really had the desire to get their head on the end of it. They wanted it more than we did.

“Everybody was a little bit disappointed in themselves and the defensive side of things is obviously a major problem for us because we only have two real defenders fit and available.

“Going forward we are fine but our defensive frailties will cost us until we address that.”

Bees: Fry, Stordy, Baggs, Steele, Rh Hayter, Fouracre (T Gale 55), Herbst, H Fleet (Peart 60), Cummings, Scovell, B Clarke. Sub not used: A Clarke