DORCHESTER SPORTS 4

BRIDPORT RES 1

DORCHESTER Sports navigated a wobbly start to beat Bridport Reserves 4-1 in their first Dorset Premier League home game of the season.

Callum Arnold put Bridport Reserves ahead from an open goal, punishing a mix-up between goalkeeper Nick Hutchings and defender Caleb Tennant.

Sports dominated the half and saw Toby Read denied before Owen Peart’s sweet strike from the edge of the box made it 1-1 on 35 minutes.

Sol Ayunga blasted an effort agonisingly wide for the Bees just before the break and the Bridport striker was involved in a major flashpoint early in the second half.

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Ayunga got goal side of Tennant from a long ball and the Bridport forward went down in the box, leading to a penalty.

Arnold stepped up and his effort was saved by Hutchings, leading to a change in momentum.

Sports then bagged three unanswered goals as Carl Edwards crossed for Dan Sheehy to finish from 18 yards, Sheehy returned the favour for Edwards to tap home and Joel Hewitt fired a left-footed shot home on the turn for 4-1.

Speaking to Echosport after the victory, boss Ashley James said: “It was good in spells, it’s not perfect.

“It’s going to take a little time. On another day it could’ve been different if it wasn’t for Hutch’s penalty save.

“We scored three good goals after that but there’s a lot of improvement still to do with a relatively new squad of players.”

Sports visit champions Holt United tomorrow (3pm), with Hewitt and Josh Pratt unavailable but Elliott Browne returns to the fold.

Ham Rec defender Rich Sands is expected to sign on dual registration forms in time to face the Bulls.

Sports: Hutchings, Pratt, Radivojsa, Tennant, O’Shaughnessy (Taylor 75), O Peart, Coombs (Brumble 75), Sheehy (Hewitt 65), Read (Camp 55), Edwards (Ellis 75), Godfrey.