BRIDPORT RES 3 SHERBORNE RES 1

SUPER sub Ben Clarke came off the bench and netted twice as Bridport Reserves turned the table on basement boys Sherborne Town Reserves at St Mary’s Field.

The first half was a bleak affair although both sides did have chances to take the lead with Robin Jones having an effort disallowed for the home side.

However, it was Sherborne that eventually got their noses in front on 50 minutes when Luke Jennings beat Jamie Fry with a clinical finish to give the Bees a huge shock.

Bridport boss Steve Crabb immediately reacted by making a triple substitution, replacing Adam Stordy, Carl Bulman and Roger Cummings with Dom McAllister, Clarke and Tristan Gale, and the audacious switch paid dividends.

Sam Day levelled from a free-kick after Clarke was brought down on the edge of the box before the latter made it 2-1 on the hour following a fine move down the left involving Adam Steele and Jones.

It was now Sherborne’s turn to look shellshocked and moments later they conceded a third when Clarke found the net from the edge of the box.

The result stretches the Bees’ winning streak to eight in all competitions, which will receive its sternest test this Saturday when the West Dorset outfit travel to unbeaten high-fliers Wincan-ton Town.

Crabb, whose side now sit eighth in the Magna Dorset Premier League, said: “We were a bit slow out of the blocks and to be honest we did not create much in the first half, which is very unlike us.

“Robin had a 20-yard volley saved and an effort disallowed, and Jamie Fry made a couple of saves at the other end but the game didn’t really get going until after the break when they went ahead early in the second half.

“We then made a triple substitution and as soon we levelled through Sam there was only ever going to be one winner.

“Ben then added two more with fine finishes and it was just good to keep the run going.

“Next we have Wincanton Town, who sit second and are currently unbeaten.

“It is going to be a tough game there but we will go into it full of confidence and hopefully give a good account of ourselves.

“Unfortunately, we will have a few missing but that will just give others the chance to come in and impress.”

The club’s ranks will be ravaged by suspension this weekend with Stordy, Cummings, Ashley Clarke, Russell Legg and Darren Lock all serving bans.

Bees: Fry, Stordy (McAllister 53), Fellows, Hill, C Bulman (B Clarke 53), Day, Cummings (Gale 53), Hailu, Steele, Jones, Scovell. Sub not used: G Bulman.