SHERBORNE TOWN 1 BRIDPORT 1 (Sherborne win 4-2 on pens)

TREVOR Senior saw his Bridport side decimated by injuries as they limped out of the Dorset Senior Cup on penalties at Sherborne Town.

During a game in which Tony Cunningham’s strike was cancelled out by the visitors’ Tom Richardson to force extra time and penalties, a number of the Bees’ first-team squad picked up various injury problems.

The worst of those befell player-coach Ryan Dovell who suffered three cracked bones in his jaw.

“It was a difficult night for us,” said Senior. “We had loads of injuries coming away from the game but, all credit to the lads, they battled really well.”

Warren Byerley suffered a knock to the ankle with around 40 minutes gone at Raleigh Grove – he came off as a precaution.

First-team debutant Mark Salter also made way with a tight hamstring and Dovell’s nasty injury then meant Bridport were left a man short.

Speaking about Dovell’s injury, Senior added: “He and Max Buckler tried to clear a ball and clashed heads, so Ryan came off and was really groggy.

“Lloyd Green the physio wouldn’t let him come back on, and rightly so, he looked very dazed.

“He managed to get home and tried to brush his teeth, but couldn’t even open his jaw.

“We played the last 10 minutes of normal time and the rest of extra time with 10 men.

“Chris Senior got a bad tackle in the groin so he was basically at walking pace as well, and Tom Richardson was struggling so we were almost down to eight-and-a-half players.”

And, while Bridport fell at the final hurdle in the shootout, the St Mary’s Field boss was still proud of his side’s showing.

He added: “Fair play to us, we still took the game to them during that extra time period. We almost nicked it.

“The Sherborne manager was really happy with the win against a depleted side. I wish them all the best of luck in the next round.”

Chris Senior, Richardson, Salter and Byerley are looking to overcome their knocks for Bridport’s trip to Brislington on Saturday (3pm).

Goalkeeper Ashley Weeks remains out with a back problem and Alan Hill is unavailable, but Darren Watts is set to return.

Looking ahead to that game, Senior said: “I can’t go to Brislington with 12 or 13 players, especially with question marks over lads that are carrying knocks.”