BRIDPORT RESERVES 3 STURMINSTER MARSHALL 1

THE Bees did just enough to see off 10-man Sturminster Marshall at St Mary’s Field in the Dorset Senior Trophy.

Due to injuries and unavailabilities the hosts called up several players from their third team and it was Ali Kamara that made the biggest impact by scoring the game’s pivotal goal.

Bridport Reserves boss Robin Townsend, whose side are now 11 games unbeaten, said: “It was not our best performance and in many ways we just did the bare minimum. I only had 12 players to start with and then a couple came over from the thirds to help us out.

“Being a league below us, Sturminster came into the game as underdogs and they played well in what was very much a cup final for them, but by the end we deserved to go through.

“Some people might say we got out of jail a bit but it was good to see lads like Luke King, Chris Symes and Ali come up from the third team and perform, which was probably the biggest positive I could take from the game.”

Reflecting on the main incidents in the clash, Townsend went on to add: “Harry Fleet put us one up with a great strike from 25 yards that flew into the top corner and after that I thought we would go on and take control.

“However, we then took our foot off the gas and allowed them to come into it which was a bit disappointing going into half-time.

“I warned the lads at the break that the only way I could see them scoring was from a set-piece or an individual error but they did not take it on board because within minutes of the restart Stur equalised following a misplaced pass by Sam Day.

“That then gave them something to hold on to and it wasn’t until Ali came off the bench and took a half chance that we eventually got back in front.

“The referee then sent off one of their lads for dissent before Jack Scovell grabbed the third with a good strike from outside the box to finally put the result beyond doubt.”

The game also saw Tom Richardson get 60 minutes under his belt.

The first-team forward is currently looking to return to match fitness following several months out with a virus.

The Bees’ next assignment is a tricky trip to Sherborne Town Reserves on Saturday in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

Bees: Fry, Stordy, A Clarke, King, Fleet (Williams 80), McAllister, Steele, C Bulman, Day, Richardson (Kamara 60), Symes (Scovell 60).