YOUNG footballers from Bridport ran out winners in an international clash with visitors from the United States.

The Bees’ Under-12 side beat Seattle’s Kitsap Asteroids 2-0 in front of a crowd of more than 300 at St Mary’s Field on Easter Saturday.

Fans, players, families and supporters enjoyed post-match festivities – including the draw of a charity raffle for a Ford Ka towards funds for the return leg in Seattle in 2016.

Mark Scadding, from Bridport Youth, said: “The day went brilliantly with 300 plus watching the game and the presentation. All enjoyed a good game of football, entertainment and good food.

“The grand car draw was won by Simon Kirby from Dorchester who looked like he was going to faint when Seattle manager Pip Thompson called out the winning name.

“An auction held by Jim Rowe went really well raising over £500 for the Bridport2Seattle2016 fund.

“Both teams presented gifts to each other as well as the mayor exchanging letters with Pip between the two town mayors.”

Former Dorchester man Pip Thompson, who also used to work at Bridport Leisure Centre and play for Bridport Rugby Club, brought the Asteroids over.

Thomas Hyde and Noah Thomas scored the goals as Bridport triumphed 2-0.

Scadding added: “All of the lads and myself would really like to thank everyone who came and has supported us right from the start.

“The numbers that turned up showed the lads that locally they have 100 per cent support to pull off their ambitious challenge to play the return leg of this game in the USA in 2016.

“So now we push on with fundraising, knowing locally we have so much support if not always nationally.”

Bridport Youth also wanted to thank sponsors Bridport Plumbing Supplies, the Bridport branch of Travis Perkins and Michael Scadding Plumbing and Heating.

Other thanks went to Bridport mayor David Rickard and his wife, mayoress Anne, and photographer Bartle Frere as well as Mr Rowe and Harbour Bonfield, which supplied the Ford Ka at a reduced cost from Ford and let the team use it to promote the fund.

The Bridport team was also presented with their Division One runners-up medals by league secretary Merv Lock.

Freddy Valinski from Bridport was man of the match.

Anyone who wants to help the Bridport2Seattle 2016 efforts can contact Mark at Bridport2Seattle2016, 7 St Katherine's Drive, Bridport, DT6 3DQ.