Bridport FC 2

Swanage and Heston FC 2

Bridport and Swanage and Herston shared the point in an entertaining match at the St. Mary’s in arguably the bees best performance of the season.

Both sides stretched their opponents in the opening encounters but Swanage had the first real effort which was clawed off the line by Archie Kershaw.

The Bees grew further into the game and took a deserved lead when Ashley Smith powerfully headed home a Mattie Loader corner. Another set piece caused Swanage problems shortly after and both Josh Baker and Jake Mansley were unable to poke the ball over the line.

Swanage levelled on the half hour mark when their pacey winger evaded the offside trap and finished well from the right edge of the area which also saw Josh Baker sin binned. Despite the player disadvantage the Bees were able to create further half chances and go in at half time level. Jack Summers broke clear of the defence early in the second half but hit straight at the keeper.

Bridport did retake the lead following another set piece delivery from Mattie Loader, whose deliveries caused Swanage problems all afternoon, and found Jake Mansley at the back post to slot home.

Again the lead didn’t last long however, and following a stoppage in play, Swanage were able to pounce on a knock down in the area to level the game on 60 minutes.

Callum Arnold had two good opportunities but was unfortunate to not find the target from an Ash Smith set up and then following a neat move involving Callum Strelley and Paul Hill.

Jack Summers forced the Swans keeper into a smart save down to his right and Mattie Loader was also denied at the near post by the busy Swans keeper. Late on, with the Swans down to 10 men, Joe Etherington had a shot blocked and Adam Steele hit narrowly over on his weaker foot from 20 yards.

The Swans created half chances of their own from long throws and build up down the left but the Bridport defence remained solid and nullified the threat.