BRIDPORT RESERVES 4

SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 2

BRIDPORT Reserves claimed a much-needed 4-2 victory over Swanage Town & Herston to boost their chances of Jewson Dorset Premier League survival.

Adam Herring’s men, beaten 8-0 last week, are now 15th of the 17 teams and only two points behind the Swans in 13th.

The Bees were dominant in the opening third of the game, only kept at bay by a string of good saves from Taylor Hibbs.

Callum Arnold and Fyn Morgan both missed excellent chances in the first half.

New signing Kingsley Wellman then got the breakthrough, poking home from a corner, to set the Bees on their way.

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Dom McAllister and Morgan gave Bridport a healthy 3-0 lead but two goals in four minutes from Paul Best and Ocean Smith set up a tense finish.

That was until a blockbuster free-kick from Adam Steele made it 4-2 to settle the destiny of the points.

Herring, who ran the line in the absence of a second linesman, said: “We dominated the game, their keeper made a few good saves.

“We just weren’t clinical but got the goal and went 1-0 up. Second half I thought we’d put the game to bed.

“Then they scored two goals in about five minutes which made it nervy, then we scored a free-kick which eased it for us.”

Bridport Reserves host Portland United Reserves on Saturday (3pm), both teams locked on 17 points.

Herring added: “It’s a bit of a six-pointer against them. Ever since I’ve taken over I don’t think we’ve lost at home. We’ll be looking to continue that and be difficult to beat.

“It’s a local derby so we’re looking forward to it.”

Bees: Wootton, Bryant, Day (Strelley), Wellman, Mansley, Ja Scadding, McAllister, Frampton (Coombs), Morgan, A Steele, Arnold (Kirkbride).