BLANDFORD UNITED 6

BRIDPORT RESERVES 2

BLANDFORD United finally broke the resistance of Bridport Reserves to record a 6-2 win at Park Road in the Dorset Premier League.

Jamie Haylock’s Royals now occupy fifth with three wins from five games, while Richard Middleton’s young Bees still await their first league point in 15th.

High-quality football characterised this encounter with both sides showing off slick passing games.

Blandford were the more incisive, creating numerous chances in the final third without a killer touch.

However, the Royals finally got the breakthrough just before half-time when Brad Pike beat Bees’ keeper Billy Fleet with a 25-yard free-kick.

As Bridport committed more players forward in search of an equaliser, Blandford took full advantage and quickly put the three points beyond doubt.

Taylor Pike, Sam Watson and Brad Pike all notched to make it 4-0 before Bridport subs Christian Blango and Josh Hunter traded goals with Archie McCarthy’s double to complete the scoring.

McCarthy’s first strike was an audacious bending shot into the top corner, worthy of goal of the game.

After sealing yet another victory at home, Blandford boss Haylock revealed his pleasure at his side’s brilliant display.

He told Echosport: “It was a very good first half of football for both teams, probably some of the best football I’ve seen in the Dorset Premier League.

“It was a complete performance from our side, we were solid at the back and moved the ball quickly.

“Equally, (Bridport) were very good, one of the better sides we’ve played this season, but that was our best performance easily.

“We got the goal just before half-time which helped us. They opened up more in the second half and there were more spaces for us to capitalise on.

“Then we had a 20-minute spell where we put four in.

“It was one of the more pleasing displays since I’ve been in charge of Blandford.”

He added: “There was a funny five minutes where we had a lapse in concentration, they had some good players.

“For 85 minutes we were brilliant defensively, in midfield and we were clinical.”

An unusual situation saw injured goalkeeper Mark Ford replaced between the posts by Steve Smith – two former strikers.

Haylock said: “Two ex-semi pro strikers!

“Mark had a dead leg and I think he probably would have saved their goals because they were straight at him.

“But he literally couldn’t move, so that was a shame.”

Royals: M Ford (Smith 86), P Ford, Rimmer, Johnson, Parry, Hill, J Ford (Manson 80), B Pike, T Pike (McCarthy 67), Jones, Watson

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