BLANDFORD UNITED 1 BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

ADAM Stordy was asked to once again step between the sticks for Bridport Reserves in their Dorset Senior Trophy triumph over Blandford United on Saturday.

Stordy, a defender by trade, donned the gloves after both Lee Cleal and Josh Hadley had been struck down with injury and illness.

Manager Shaun Annetts said: “I had a phone call at 10am on Saturday morning to say that Lee Cleal our goalkeeper, who I was going to use, was out as he hurt his wrist in training. He had hoped that by Saturday it would have recovered.

“Josh Hadley, who I think is outstanding, had a stomach bug so he couldn’t play either.

"Adam has done it before and I couldn’t give him much notice because I didn’t know myself.

“He is a good lad and has been very consistent for me this year at right-back but I didn’t have much choice, it was either that or go in goal myself.”

It is not the first time Stordy has been asked to play in goal for the St Mary’s Field side. He featured with the gloves in the final of the competition last season after former keeper Jamie Fry suffered an injury to his hand at work hours before the contest.

With Stordy switching positions on this occasion, Blandford took the lead after around 25 minutes.

The Bees gave away possession in a dangerous area allowing the visitors to chance their luck from range. Stordy thought the attempt was falling wide of a post, but instead the shot nestled in the bottom corner.

But the Bees, who had played some neat stuff in the opening period, came out determined and got their reward when Tristan Gale swung a menacing corner in, which was met by Alan Hill.

His header cannoned off the bar into the path of Sam Buckler, who put the rebound over the line to make it 1-1.

Josh Baker’s effort was then parried away allowing Gale to run in on the rebound and net the winner.

Manager Annetts added: “Although we went 1-0 down it was against the run of play and it wasn’t deserved. The players responded well. If we had our shooting boots on and had a little more composure we could have scored two or three more really."

“Adam, apart from the one error, did a good job and fingers cross we will have either Lee or Josh back next week.”

The Bees will host Hamworthy Recreation in the second round next month.

Bees: Stordy, Herbst, Hill, King, S Buckler, Jones, S Gale, Fleet, Blair, Baker, T Gale (Neale 85) Subs not used: L Annetts, Peach.