MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 4

BRIDPORT RESERVES 1

TEN-MAN Bridport Reserves snatched defeat from the jaws of a potential victory after succumbing 4-1 at Merley in the Jewson Dorset Premier League.

Bridport were the better side for long periods, were 1-0 up, hampered by a controversial red card for Jake Mansley after 28 minutes and were later reduced to nine men when Adam Heaton was sin-binned.

Merley’s George Coleman’s free-kick rattled against the crossbar on ten minutes but the home side kept giving the ball away.

Bridport’s young side showed some real enterprise throughout, they looked after the ball better and were continually first to the ball while winning their fair share in the second phase.

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Adam Herring’s men duly hit the front in the 25th minute when Ellis George made a poor decision, lunging at an opponent in the area and conceding a penalty.

Callum Arnold made no mistake with the spot-kick, sending Chris Trim the wrong way.

Just three minutes later the game turned when Bees’ skipper Mansley was adjudged to be the last man when bringing down Coleman, earning a straight red card.

Bridport outplayed Merley for the rest of the half but the home side got themselves back into the game when a Matt Groves corner was nodded home easily at the near post in the 38th minute by captain George.

Resuming the second half at 1-1, Coleman was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line in the 54th minute.

However, Cobham also went down to ten men when Ollie Marsh was sin-binned.

Moments later, Groves was through on goal but Sam Moggeridge, who was good all afternoon between the sticks for Bridport, saved well.

Bridport always looked dangerous on the counter and Arnold hit the bar in the 61st minute.

Both sides then went to the bench and Cobham changed formation, Cherrett added more pace to Cobham’s attacks and this proved to be pivotal.

Merley hit the front in the 63rd minute when a hopeful ball forward saw Dan Edwards leap with Moggeridge and the ball was spilled, falling to ex-Dorchester and Weymouth striker Groves and he slammed the ball home from 14 yards.

Bridport were reduced to nine men when they lost a man to the bin and Cobham finally began to use their pace.

In the 84th minute, Cherrett’s fine run down the right and excellent cross was slammed home by Daniel Reeks to put them 3-1 up.

Just four minutes later another fine run by Cherrett saw his pacy cross deflected into his own net by Bridport defender Jaydon Scadding to wrap up a flattering fifth win in succession.

Bridport remain in 16th place of the 17 teams and host Sherborne Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Moggeridge, Ja Scadding, Mansley, Heaton, Wellman, Howe, Magee (Coombs), Steele, Arnold, Brook, Mann.