MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 1 BRIDPORT RESERVES 1

BRIDPORT Reserves chief Shaun Annetts was full of praise for his depleted squad, having secured a 1-1 draw at Merley Cobham Sports while extremely short on numbers.

The visitors travelled with as many as seven players unavailable but that did not stop them clinching a point thanks to Tristan Gale’s leveller on the hour mark.

“Every single one of them deserve a pat on the back because they all contributed to a good result,” Annetts said.

“We were down to the bare bones a bit if I’m honest. Robin Jones, who had been man-of-the-match the week before had to get off his sick bed and come and sit on the bench for me.

“Lee Cleal, who has done well for both me and Trevor (Senior) in goal in the first-team, is also a reasonable outfield player and I had to ask him to sit on the bench.

“They had their chances as well and our defence had to play really well. Josh Hadley was outstanding for us in goal and I would have taken a point before the game.”

Merley, who were also shaken by the departure of former manager Ollie Cherrett to Christchurch, drew first blood around the half hour mark when a defensive mix up by the Bees allowed Jordan Basing to nip in and smash home from close range.

“That was an error we were disappointed with but we went in at half-time still with the belief that we were doing okay,” Annetts added.

And around the hour mark, Bridport got their leveller when Tom Blair linked up with Jamie Beasley. He found Harry Fleet, who crossed into the path of Gale to guide a well-placed header into the net.

Manager Annetts also brought on son Liam during the second period, who was making his first competitive appearance since recovering from a serious motorcycle accident.

And, late on, Liam Annetts was almost the match-winner.

Shortly after Beasley had spurned an opportunity going through one-on-one, Annetts was teed up on the edge of the box and hit a crisp effort but saw his strike denied by the hosts.

The Bridport boss added: “It was the first time Liam had been on the field competitively for the best part of 18 months I think due to his motorcycle injuries. He could have been a bit of a hero!”

Bees: Hadley, East, Stordy, S Gale, M Buckler, Beasley, Fleet, Baker (L Annetts 75), Gape, Blair (Cleal 80), T Gale (Jones 70).