BRIDPORT RESERVES 1

DORCHESTER SPORTS 2

DORCHESTER Sports ended a five-game hoodoo at St Mary’s Field with a 2-1 victory over Bridport Reserves in the Dorset Premier League.

The victory, which sees Ashley James’ men shoot up the table to seventh, had been in severe doubt as the visitors got off to the worst possible start.

After just 35 seconds, Bees’ forward Josh Hunter took aim and fired a shot that deflected viciously away off Alex Gould and into the bottom corner as helpless goalkeeper Antony Frost watched on.

Sports could be forgiven for letting their heads drop after an awful piece of luck, but the Clayson Stadium outfit responded in terrific fashion on 25 minutes.

Jamie Samways was the goalscorer, drifting across the covering defender before stooping low to bravely nod past Billy Fleet from Gareth Will’s swinging cross.

With a swirling wind inhibiting both teams’ creation, chances were rare and the two sides went in level at the break.

Sports only had to wait 10 minutes into the second half to edge ahead when Samways capped a fine performance with a stunning 25-yard free-kick that whistled past Fleet.

James’ charges held firm in the closing stages to secure a rare win at Bridport, and the Sports boss was delighted with his team’s effort.

He told Echosport: “It’s nice to get that win down there, the performance was really pleasing as well. We did play really well, we defended well, kept the ball, passed well.

“We just didn’t create as many chances as we would have liked, but our approach to the final third was really good and we’ve got to take that confidence into the Portland game on Saturday.

“The performance was probably one of the best this season.”

James also praised his “brilliant” side for their reply to Bridport’s first-minute goal.

He said: “It was a wicked deflection, I don’t even know if the shot was on target but it got deflected off Alex and ended up in the other corner before one minute.

“It didn’t look good but we responded really well and from then on we were brilliant.”

On Samways’ contribution, James said: “He got both goals and was fantastic.

“We deserved the win but both teams defended well. It was difficult conditions, the pitch wasn’t great and the wind was really bad. It was a difficult afternoon.

“The goalkeepers didn’t have too much to do but we had a lot of possession and we passed the ball quite well. I think we slightly edged it.”

Sports: Frost, Hill, J Quinton, Read, A Gould, B Thomas, G Will, Samways (J Will 70), Turland, Ross, A Steele. Subs not used: Gatehouse, Amor

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