Charles ruled out for season (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Charles ruled out for season

8:59am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in The Bees By Ky Capel

BRISLINGTON 2 BRIDPORT 2

BRIDPORT’S worst fears have been realised following the news that top scorer Sam Charles has been sidelined for the rest of the season.

The striker saw a specialist on Friday to discover the full extent of the knee injury that has kept him out of action since January 7.

And the diagnosis, cruciate ligament damage, has effectively ended the former Weymouth and Dorchester Town forward’s campaign.

Manager Trevor Senior said: “It’s his cruciate so he’ll be out for the rest of the season, which is a big shame. However, he is being positive about it all.”

Charles’ team-mates meanwhile, lifted the mood somewhat by recording a welcome point at Brislington.

However, the Bees, who host Longwell Green this Saturday (3pm), left Ironmould Lane with a hint of frustration after surrendering a two-goal advantage.

Dan Wise and Chris Luke put the visitors in pole position but two late penalties from Liam Peart salvaged a point for the mid-table hosts.

Senior, who revealed the rearranged game was almost postponed for a second time this season due to heavy rain, said: “The lads are disappointed because they said it felt like a defeat.

“Brislington started brightly and created two or three chances but we clawed our way back in and dominated the second part of the first half.

“Matt Condliffe was then brought down on the edge of their box and Dan Wise scored from the free-kick.

“They tried to have a go in the second half but we looked good and got a second when the ball was played back to Matt and his deflected shot was pushed into the path of Chris Luke, who finished well on the volley.

“We had another good chance to make it three, 20 minutes from the end, but Mitch Conning’s shot went an inch past the post.

“They then got a penalty to make it 2-1 when Ryan Hayter was adjudged to have pulled someone back.

“I made a couple of changes to try and defend what we had but the ball was played into our box and this time Joe Charles was adjudged to have pushed their guy from behind.

“Our lads said he didn’t and that their player made a meal of it, but it was 2-2.

“Soon after that Mitch had a shot deflected into the path of Darren Watts but he side-footed wide of the post.

“We could have nicked it at the end but overall a draw was a fair result. I would have taken a point before the game but to be 2-0 up with 12 minutes to go it does feel like a defeat.

“The lads may be disappointed but I’m pleased.”

Bees: Filkins, Condliffe, C Clarke, Hill, Senior, Hayter, Luke (Watts 82), Wise, Richardson (J Charles 85), Conning, Legg. Sub not used: Morgan.