BRIDPORT RES 1

SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 2

BRIDPORT Reserves’ miserable run of form extended to ten straight losses as ten-man Swanage Town & Herston won 2-1 at St Mary’s Field in the Dorset Premier League.

Adam Herring’s men did everything right by taking the lead but the sending off for Swans’ Jake Streams seemed to heap pressure on the Bees before the Swans mounted a stunning comeback.

Bridport opened the scoring when Harry Burwood’s shot speared in off a big deflection and Rowan Kirkbride came within inches of making it 2-0 when his effort cannoned off the post.

However, Bridport were given a numerical advantage on top of their lead when Jake Streams received two yellows in quick succession.

READ MORE: Bridport Reserves not disheartened by losing run, says Adam Herring

First, he committed a heavy foul on Burwood and in the ensuing ruckus he was booked again, leaving Swanage with an hour to play and only ten men to do so.

Swans showed signs of imploding as they were reduced to nine men for a sin-bin but the situation had the opposite effect as it galvanised the visitors.

Former Dorchester Town and Bournemouth right-back Jack Torniainen levelled the scores, beating Mark Cuff just before the break.

Bridport looked to make changes to the formation to exploit the ten men but were hampered by a lack of substitutes in suitable positions.

And with Cuff the busier of the two keepers, Bridport’s parity looked increasingly under threat and so it proved in dramatic fashion in the 91st minute.

Jake Mansley was adjudged to have handled a fraction inside the area and Torniainen stepped up to beat Cuff from the spot and seal a magnificent three points for the Swans.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Herring said: “I think we were worthy of a point, they scored in the 91st minute to seal the win. When it rains, it pours.

“We just couldn’t hold on. We were looking to go on and win but it was fairly evident after 70 minutes that we wouldn’t be able to do that. I was hoping to hold on for a point.

“It was a handball, Jake was under the impression it was just outside. The linesman adjudged it to be inside and there wasn’t too many moans on the pitch at the time.”

Herring’s side next host Holt United on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Baker, Burwood, Cuff, Day, Elliott, Etherington, Kamara, Mansley, Morgan, Ja Scadding, Wyrill. Subs: Kapurs, B Scadding, Kirkbride, Bult.