BRIDPORT RES 2

DORCHESTER SPORTS 1

DORCHESTER Sports failed to back up an impressive win at Swanage, losing 2-1 to struggling Bridport Reserves at St Mary’s Field.

Ashley James’ men defeated the Swans 2-0 in midweek but a flat first-half display set the tone for a frustrating afternoon against the Bees.

With the game bogged down in a slow tempo for much for the opening period, Bridport took a crucial lead when Josh Baker headed home from a right-wing cross.

Sports’ best chance of the half fell to Joel Hewitt, who was denied one-on-one by veteran goalkeeper Mark Cuff.

READ MORE: Swanage 0-2 Dorchester Sports - report

Bridport were grateful to Cuff for a heroic performance in the second half as he brilliantly snuffed out three clean-through situations for Hewitt, Toby Kelly and Sheehy.

Dan Sheehy also fluffed his lines from an open goal, six yards out, while Lyes Selama fired wide.

Cuff made a fourth big save from Selama before Bridport scored a sucker-punch second as Dan Baggs took the ball round keeper Nick Hutchings before slotting home.

Sports gave themselves late hope when Toby Kelly won an 88th-minute penalty, scored by in-form Owen Peart.

They duly pressured the home defence in stoppage time but half-chances for Selama and Hewitt failed to test Cuff as the Bees held on for victory.

Speaking to Echosport, James said: “We just didn’t turn up first half. We unfortunately went in at 1-0 down.

“We had loads of chances second half but couldn’t put one in the back of the net. Really disappointing performance. Not the result we wanted. It’s been our season in a nutshell.

“If anything (the Swanage win) should’ve given us the confidence to go and put in a performance but there was a lack of desire, a lack of enthusiasm, creativity.

“I could go on and on about the first half, we were like statues and the poorest I’ve seen us all season.

“Second half we gave it a real good go but we were poor in in front of goal and we got what we deserved, which was nothing.”

Asked where this sort of display had come from, James added: “It’s been all season with inconsistency.

“We play well against Merley and then not so well against Poole Borough.

“Then we play well against Swanage and don’t play well on Saturday. It’s been inconsistent all season.

“We gave ourselves too much to do and inconsistency is something we have to address if we want to climb the table next year.”

The defeat leaves Sports in ninth, but wins in their final two games against Sherborne Reserves and Blandford could move them sixth in the final standings if other results go their way.

Dorch Sports: Hutchings, Steele (Brumble 65), Sands (Swain 80), Streamer, O’Shaughnessy, O Peart, Coombs, Hewitt, Sheehy (Kelly 65), Godfrey, Selama.