BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 0

TOBY Mann’s clinical double gave Bridport Reserves manager Adam Herring his first league win as boss with a 2-0 victory over Sturminster Marshall.

Mann scored in each half to open his account for the season, in the process adding to Herring’s 7-0 cup win over former club Beaminster since he took the job from Chris Herbst.

Conditions were largely poor for the Bees at St Mary’s Field, as the bad weather that blighted much of Dorset made for a heavy pitch and a tricky gusting wind to negotiate.

However, Bridport dealt with the elements more effectively than Stur as Mann fired the Bees into a 1-0 half-time lead courtesy of a fumble from the visitors’ keeper.

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Bridport continued to enjoy the better of play in the second half, with Dom McAllister denied and Jaydon Scadding hitting the post from a corner.

However, Herring’s men got the second goal they deserved when Mann buried a chance following a fluent team move for 2-0.

They were perhaps lucky to finish with 11 men after goalkeeper Kian Wootton clattered into an away forward late on when attempting to reach Fyn Morgan’s weak backpass, collecting only a yellow card.

And there were no further scares for Bridport as they preserved their clean sheet to move off the bottom of the Jewson Dorset Premier League table, following the withdrawal of Wareham Rangers.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Herring said: “It was a good win. With the table recalculated it put us bottom of the league.

“I said to the guys that it’s not a true reflection to the quality of the team, so I said we needed to move up the table.

“The weather was terrible but we dominated the game from start to finish and it could’ve been a few more.

“We managed the game really well and played better with the conditions. Every game in that league is a hard game.”

He added: “We’ve got three young lads who play up front, Toby, Callum Arnold and Harley Brook.

“All three are really good players for the future. They’ve got a load of confidence at the minute and they’re all playing really well. The future looks good for the club, really.”

Bridport now move on to a Dorset Senior Trophy quarter-final at Merley on Saturday (1.30pm).

Bees: Wootton, Ja Scadding, Gall, Mansley, Grace (Strelley), Morgan, McAllister, Ward, Brook (Hereka), Mann, Arnold (Elliott).