BRIDPORT Reserves downed Chickerell United last night to earn their second consecutive 1-0 victory in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

Sharpshooter Ben Clarke notched the all-important goal shortly before half-time with a shot from just inside the penalty area and it proved enough to keep the Bees’ 100 per cent record intact.

Chickerell – unrecognisable from the side that finished last season as runners-up – missed a penalty on 85 minutes when Rob Maxted’s strike rebounded off a post and back out to safety.

Both teams entered the St Mary’s Field encounter having won their respective opening-day fixtures and it was the visitors who could have drawn first blood inside the first 60 seconds.

Charlie Kenderdine found himself in acres of space at the back post but stabbed his shot wide of the upright, with Bridport keeper Lee Cleal scrambling.

Proceedings turned scrappy after a bright start but Chris Herbst nearly embarrassed Chickerell gloveman Ian Bickerstaff with a 25-yard thunderbolt that skimmed the top of the goal frame.

Just two minutes later it was Clarke’s turn to hit the crossbar as his shot ricocheted down off the underside of the woodwork – without crossing the line – and out of harm’s way.

However, there was no disputing the authenticity of Clarke’s goal on 38 minutes when his effort bypassed a mass of bodies to put Bridport in front.

Into the second period, Cleal was forced to pull off a stunning one-handed dive, palming the ball away from danger to deny Kenderdine as Chickerell sought an equaliser.

At the opposite end, Dan Peart sidestepped two defenders before unleashing a fine effort that whistled narrowly over the woodwork, while a goalbound strike by Adam Steele effort was well blocked.

The Chickens began to get impatient at their lack of success but were awarded a penalty late on when Chris Herbst needlessly brought down Stuart Walbridge.

New signing Maxted assumed responsibility but despite sending Cleal the wrong way, he saw his spot-kick cannon back of a post and the visitors’ hopes of gaining a point were gone.

Steele then somehow blasted wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy, but it mattered not as Bridport maintained their fine start to the season.

Bees: Cleal, Stordy, Herbst, Hill, A Clarke, Jones, Cummings (Evans 58), Steele, B Clarke, McAllister (Peart 64), Gale (Lloyd 75).

Chickens: Bickerstaff, Walker, Oliver, Williams, Burton, B Skelton, Kenderdine (Walbridge 76), Roper, A Skelton (Chance 60), Robinson (Carlile 62), Maxted.