BRIDPORT RESERVES 8

HOLT UNITED 5

BEN Clarke fired home a hat-trick as Bridport Reserves gained sweet revenge over Holt United in a humdinger at St Mary’s Field.

Scarred by a 3-1 league defeat at Gaunts Common back on August 20, the Bees were desperate to make an amends in this Magna Dorset Prem-ier League Cup clash and despite taking their foot off the pedal in the final stages they did it in emphatic fashion with Ashley Clarke (2), Jamie Morgan, Darren Lock and Tristan Gale also getting on the scoresheet.

Replying for Holt were Dave Perry (3) and Peter Richmond-Cole (2).

Bridport boss Steve Crabb said: “We were 3-1 up at half-time and then 8-2 up at one stage before we then conceded three goals late on.

“That was obviously a bit disappointing but we only had 12 men on the day and there were a few tired legs out there. Had we had three substitutes they would have all come on but apart from that little lapse towards the end it was clearly a very pleasing result.

“We played them in the league at their place earlier in the season and lost 3-1 on a day where I thought we were the better team so it was nice to get revenge for that so quickly.”

It has certainly been an encouraging few weeks for the Bees and Crabb is hoping the momentum continues over the next fortnight, which will see his side make two tough trips to Westland Sports this Saturday and then reigning champions Hamwor-thy Recreation on September 17.

He added: “We have managed to carry on from where we left off last season and although we know we are not good enough to win the league, we are confident we can get into the top eight and have a good campaign.

“Our next two games are both massive tests and will really show how far we can go and we have every reason to enter them full of confidence.

“The fact the first team won promotion last season and have gone on to add one or two news faces has really helped us and with players eager to progress and make the step up, everything bodes well for the future.”

Bridport currently sit eighth in the Dorset Premier League, having claimed 10 points from their opening six games.

Bees: Cuff, Stordy, Day, A Clarke, Bulman, Lock, Peart, Cummings, B Clarke (Hailu 70), Morgan, Gale.