STURMINSTER MARSHALL 4

BRIDPORT RESERVES 1

BRIDPORT Reserves succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at mercurial Sturminster Marshall in the Jewson Dorset Premier League.

Stur are well-placed in fourth after this victory but were beaten 2-0 by Adam Herring’s Bees in late November.

It means Stur have had two wins, two losses and a draw in their past five games, while the Bees hover above bottom place in 16th.

Bridport were in prime position to do the double over Marshall when Robin Jones rushed on to a booming clearance and scored with a lobbed finish over keeper James Young in the seventh minute.

READ MORE: Merley 6-0 Bridport Reserves - match report

Bridport shouts for a penalty against Young for a clumsy claim fell on deaf ears and Stur soon equalised when Ash Cope headed home from close range.

The aerial route appeared to work for Stur and they took the lead on 47 minutes when Will Gage beat Bees’ keeper Kian Wootton to a free-kick, flicking on for Jack Geddes to touch in.

With the game in the balance and Bridport counter-attacking well, Stur gave themselves breathing space 13 minutes from time as Josh Hicks nutmegged Wootton with a low drive.

And Callum Whitelaw made sure of the points by finding the bottom corner on 80 minutes.

In their final game before Christmas, Bridport face a daunting trip to Merley on Saturday (2pm).