TINTINHULL 2 BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

A STUNNING late strike by Dan Baggs earned Bridport Reserves a deserved point against Tintinhull.

The Bees, missing a whole host of players through injury and unavailability, did boss Robin Townsend proud with a battling performance at Montacute Road.

And Baggs’ superb half-volley in the closing minutes was just reward for the visitors, who had taken the lead in the first half.

Rob Condliffe put Bridport in front in the Dorset Premier League clash with a neat finish after some clever movement.

But, not for the first time this season, Townsend’s men were undone by a set-piece and the hosts equalised from a corner before the break.

Tintinhull then went 2-1 up in the second period, though Townsend felt the officials missed a couple of infringements prior to the home side doubling their tally.

However, when a late free-kick dropped at the feet of Baggs some 15 yards from goal, the defender found the top corner with a sweetly struck shot that gave the home keeper no chance.

“A draw was probably a fair result,” said Townsend. “I’d like to think that if we had been at full strength we would have been too good for them.

“I can’t really moan too much with a draw as we were pretty desperate for numbers.

“I knew Jack Scovell was struggling and he pulled up during the warm up, so that wasn’t the best way to start the afternoon.

“We had 12 players missing, but the lads who came in, like Rob Condliffe and Matty Peart, did a good job for us.

“We showed plenty of character to come back with only a few minutes to go and Dan Baggs scored a wonder goal to get us a draw.”

Bridport Reserves are away to Mere Town this Saturday (3pm).

Bees: M Peart, Fry, Baggs, Stordy, Herbst, Steele, Legg, H Fleet, Fouracre (Hawker 65), T Gale, Condliffe

*Robin Townsend would like to thank Andy Spiller for his help with the recent fundraiser at the club.