Football: Hoskins is heroic in Bridport's win

BRIDPORT Youth played host to second-placed Westland Sports and had goalkeeper Adam Hoskins to thank for his heroics at the death.

After a goalless first half, legs began to tire on a stodgy surface, and during the second period chances soon began to fall.

In the Westland goalmouth, Bridport’s Sam Tabner and Olly Woodcock both narrowly missed chances.

The home side’s efforts were eventually rewarded when, around the 70 minute mark, Jonah Ayunga propelled his side into the lead with a strike from just inside the penalty area.

Bridport’s defence seemed to be solid until, in a lapse of concentration, Jordan Gregory’s outstretched leg impeded the run of a Westland attacker and a penalty was awarded.

However, fortune favoured the home side as the visitors’ penalty was skewed past the post.

The drama wasn’t over though, and soon Westland were back in home side’s penalty area.

The referee abruptly stopped the game to award another spot-kick to the visitors, as Gregory was adjudged to have pulled an attacker’s shirt. Having been booked, the referee issued him a second yellow and sent him off.

The fate of the game then rested with Bridport keeper Hoskins.

As the Westland player’ s powerfully-struck penalty headed towards the top corner, the keeper flew across goal to palm the ball away.

Westland mounted a number of desperate attacks at 10-man Bridport late on but Hoskins pulled off a string of stunning saves to ensure the home side held on.