BRIDPORT RESERVES 3

SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 5

MAYHEM ensued at St Mary’s Field as Bridport Reserves went down 5-3 to Swanage Town & Herston in the Dorset Premier League.

The goals flooded in during a mad opening to the game.

Shaun Annetts’ Bees took the lead courtesy of a flowing move started by Robin Jones and Anthony Carlile, who played in Ryan Leader to bullet a finish into the top corner in the third minute.

Swans equalised on six minutes as Cameron Barnes played in Paul Best to slot past Jordon Scadding, the striker aided by a slip from Bridport’s Dane James in his first game of the season.

Leader turned provider as Bridport retook the lead in the ninth minute, Swans’ keeper James Langdon fumbling the ball for Carlile to fire home.

Parity was restored less than 60 seconds later as Bridport captain Brandon Scadding slipped, allowing Best to steal in and score his second.

After four goals in the first 10 minutes, surprisingly there were no more on the tally as Swanage missed several chances – Tommy Beard and Cameron Barnes going close.

Resuming their dominance in the second half, Swans put the game out of sight with two goals in the opening two minutes.

Beard and Jamie Harlowe rifled past Jordon Scadding, while Best completed his hat-trick soon after, rounding the young keeper and sliding home for 5-2.

Bridport battled on and skipper Brandon Scadding ghosted in at the far post to score a rare header with 25 minutes remaining.

Annetts’ men wasted late opportunities as Dean Hyett saw a header cleared off the line – Swanage holding firm under immense pressure to close out the win.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Bees’ boss Annetts said: “We looked dangerous going forward but defensively it’s not good enough.

“Ryan Gall has been promoted to first team and we clearly miss him. Dan Baggs has decided to ply his trade at Beaminster which is another big blow.

“In the heart of our defence we’re lacking a little bit, but I’m hopeful we can improve and tighten up – that’s clearly our Achilles heel. Hopefully we’ll pick up some points. We’ve got a massive game on Saturday, we’re away at Sturminster Newton.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, James (Harvey 80), Hyett, Beals (Strelley 65), Leader, B Scadding, Middleton, Weedon, Hyde, Jones, Carlile.