POOLE BOROUGH 3

BRIDPORT RES 0

BRIDPORT Reserves slipped to a fourth consecutive Dorset Premier League defeat as Poole Borough claimed a 3-0 win at Turlin Moor.

Adam Herring’s Bees were beset by injury and availability problems, with the first team also suffering.

They only took 12 players to east Dorset, including Herring, but gave a spirited performance.

Bridport were unlucky not to have taken the lead when Callum Arnold raced through in the fifth minute, only for Hornets’ keeper Richard Munday to deny him in a one-on-one showdown.

READ MORE: Merley 3-1 Bridport Reserves - report

Poole perked up following that early scare and took the lead 20 minutes in when Harry White slotted home.

Josh Baker was desperately unfortunate not to equalise for the Bees when Munday tipped his free-kick onto the bar.

And the save proved critical when Liam Smith and Tyler Reade combined superbly to tee up Tom Weeks for the Hornets’ second goal on 32 minutes.

Weeks added a third before the break, finishing off a fluent team move, but Bridport battled on respectably in the second half.

They limited the hosts to few chances but could not find a consolation goal as Munday made a solid stop with his legs to preserve Poole’s clean sheet.

Herring said: “It was a nightmare with player availability due to holidays, weddings and festivals. We went there with a bare 11 and me.

“Everyone put in 100 per cent. Some of the lads weren’t ready for a full 90 minutes and I was asking them to try and produce that.

“I’m grateful they turned up and we got the game done, otherwise it would’ve been a points deduction and a fine.”

The Bees now turn their attentions to hosting Hamworthy United Reserves, the early leaders with 12 points from five games, on Saturday (3pm).

Herring added: “It’s a tough game on paper but if we have a full-strength side out, on our day we can compete against anybody.

“There are some strange results in the league at the moment and we could’ve asked for an easier fixture.

“But the first team are doing really well, that’s what we’re there for, to produce players and keep them fit ready to be called up if they’re needed.”

Jake Mansley (thigh) and Callum Arnold (knee) are doubts after suffering knocks.