SWANAGE & HERSTON 2

BRIDPORT RESERVES 0

BRIDPORT Reserves’ manager Shaun Annetts saw his side lose 2-0 at the hands of Swanage Town & Herston as two Graeme Rose goal sunk the Bees.

Two first-half strikes from Rose – including a curling effort from 25 yards – were enough to consign Bridport to their third straight defeat in the Dorset Premier League.

Annetts told Echosport: “We started well in the first 10 minutes, but after that Swanage were on top for the next 30 minutes.

“Their lead was probably deserved and it could have been worse.

“They were sharper and looked fitter than us.

“We gave two debuts to two centre-backs and it’s never easy to get them bedded in.”

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute. Rose charged down Billy Fleet’s clearance and he was able to pop the ball home, something that disappointed the Bridport boss.

Eight minutes later, the Swans doubled their lead with a stunning effort from Rose.

The Bees were guilty of not getting close enough to the goalscorer and he punished them with a wonderful effort. Fleet got his fingertips to the shot, but was unable to keep it out.

Bridport improved after a few stern words from Annetts and created a few half chances of their own.

They couldn’t take them though, but continued to restrict their opponents.

Goals were needed if the visitors were going to get back into the game and the Bees were unable to snatch any as they left empty-handed.

Annetts added: “We didn’t give our forwards any good service and we didn’t test their keeper.

“Our substitutes made a difference so we can take the positives from that.

“I have no complaints about the result, Swanage were much better than us and we have to prepare as best we can for the next game.”

This was the third game in a row where the reserves have failed to score in with their last goal coming against Mere Town in a 3-2 win.

The manager added: “In those first four games that we won we were creating a lot of chances and that was pleasing.

“But in the last three matches, we’ve lacked that. Maybe that’s down to myself by putting more emphasis on the defensive side of the game.

“We have stopped creating chances, which is disappointing.”

Bees: Fleet, Storey, Scadding, King, Hyatt, O Ward (Gale 65), Walkey, Gape, Weedon, A Ward (Hughes-Williams 60), Hunter (Kurzman 60). Subs not used: None