BRIDPORT RESERVES 5

HOLT UNITED 4

JOSH Hull cracked a superb second-half hat-trick as Bridport Reserves stormed back from 3-1 behind to beat Holt United 5-4 in a Dorset Premier League epic.

Prior to kick-off the match had been in doubt as groundstaff and volunteers forked the St Mary’s Field pitch, which also required sand to be laid on rain-affected patches.

Once play began, Holt took the lead early on, slamming home a rebound from Jordan Scadding’s excellent one-on-one save.

Scadding was at fault for Holt’s second shortly afterwards as the young keeper allowed a routine cross to squirm underneath his body and over the line.

Shaun Annetts’ men pulled a goal back when tall centre-back Ryan Gall nodded home Ryan Leader’s deep corner on 20 minutes, and the Bulls later survived a good chance for Hull.

Holt restored their two-goal lead in scrappy fashion as the ricochet from a Scadding punch was eventually bundled in.

Staring at a 3-1 deficit in the second half the Bees mounted a stunning fightback, led by Hull who was in predatory form to pounce on a parry from the Holt keeper for 3-2.

Hull grabbed his second in 10 minutes to level the scores and it was not until the 89th that Bridport took the lead when Gall volleyed home from an acute angle to send the Bees into raptures.

Hull then notched his treble with a clinical right-footed finish in the first minute of stoppage-time before a late Holt header gave some consolation to a shellshocked Bulls.

Holt did send their keeper up for a late corner but could not find an equaliser as Annetts’ side held on for only their fourth win of the season, boosting them to 12th.

Annetts said: “The turnaround was remarkable.

“I’m pleased for the players because they haven’t won too many games this year. The second-half performance and spirit was great to see.

“But we weren’t perfect in any way – we gifted them three goals.”

Annetts also expressed his thanks to diligent Bridport officials who helped alleviate saturated areas of the St Mary’s Field surface.

He added: “I’m grateful for a few club members that got the game on. There was a lot of forking on Saturday morning and putting sand down.”

Bridport Reserves host Blandford United in league action on Saturday (3pm).

Bees Res: Jo Scadding, Ja Scadding, B Scadding, Hyett, Gall, Hull, Leader, Middleton (M Hill 85), Handyside, Jones (Lowden 80), Carlile. Subs not used: Strelley, J Hill, Mamanta.

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