AFTER three years of fund-raising to pay for the Bridport team’s tour of Seattle, the under-15s finally got to travel to the USA to meet up with the friends they had made back in 2012, when Pip Thompson brought over the Seattle Asteroids to West Dorset.

The Bridport team enjoyed 12 glorious sun-filled days in the States, playing several games against local teams and also getting the chance to play against a Washington Stateside champions team.

They also took on the Seattle Sounders academy team in temperatures reaching the high 80s, and all but one game was played on 3G surfaces.

Bees’ coach Mark Scadding said: “The youngsters will always be grateful to Pip and Carolyn Thompson and their crew of parents over in Seattle that made it all possible, along with all the generous people back in the UK who supported the lads and their cause.

“But it is not the final chapter in this team’s strong link with the Asteroids, as myself and Pip Thompson have shaken hands on taking a combined Bridport and USA team over to Portugal in 2016.”

Fresh back from the USA, the side also started their 2014 season at home against a strong Wimborne visiting team.

The hosts started strongly, not showing any sign of jet lag, and soon found themselves well in control with goals coming from Callum Middleton and Callan Low-den.

Thomas Hyde and Samuel Handyside also found the net in the contest to help earn Bridport a 4-1 win.