BRIDPORT RESERVES 2
BLANDFORD UNITED 2

BRIDPORT Reserves’ manager Shaun Annetts felt “bitterly disappointed” as his side conceded a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Blandford United at St Mary’s Field.
First half strikes from Josh Hunter and Josh Hull put the hosts in control before Paul Ford pulled one back for the visitors before the interval.
In a bruising encounter that saw two members of Bridport’s young side pick up concussions, the visitors snuck away with a point after a controversial goal where the ball was bundled over the line – along with Bridport keeper Billy Fleet.
Manager Annetts said: “I thought we played well enough to win the game. We had chances to make it 3-1, but we didn’t take them.
“At 2-1, they were always in the game and in the last 20 minutes they put the pressure on. It was a battle. 
“They got a goal that I believe should never have stood and it feels like it is two points dropped.”
However, it was the Bees who started well and took the lead in the 15th minute through Hull.
A free-kick from Luke King was looped into the box and Hull rose highest to glance the ball home.
Hull then turned provider as Hunter tucked in a curling effort to double the Bees’ lead 10 minutes later.
Ford pulled one back for the visitors before Riley Weedon had to leave the field after a bad tackle saw him down with a serious concussion.
Blandford took the game to the Bees as the second half came to an end, and got their leveller just before the end.
A corner was swung underneath Fleet’s crossbar as he and the ball were bundled over the line by three visiting players, which was deemed fair by the officials.
Speaking about Blandford’s tactics and the referee, Annetts added: “I believe they (Blandford) chose to rough us up a bit and use strong-arm tactics with some bad tackles.
“Being an ex-referee, the term is ‘excessive force’ and they used that in a lot of challenges.
“I don’t think we got the protection from the officials.
But, Annetts only had praise for his own players, adding: “They didn’t react and they deserve full credit for that.
Bees: Fleet, Annetts, Walkey, Storey, Davy (Gale 68), King, Weedon (Kurzman 42), A Ward, O Ward, Hull, Hunter. Subs not used: None