STURMINSTER NEWTON 5

BRIDPORT RES 0

TITLE-CHASING Sturminster Newton swatted the Bees of Bridport Reserves away with a 5-0 victory in the Dorset Premier League.

Second-placed Stur are attempting to hunt down unbeaten leaders Blandford United and could move to within five points of the Royals should they win their game in hand.

Bridport rode out early pressure before exacting stress of their own upon goalkeeper Theo Crane, who did well to keep the Bees at bay.

That was until the Cherries made the crucial breakthrough before the break, Neil Sweatman’s powerful header cannoning off the bar and bouncing over the line for 1-0.

READ MORE: Bridport Reserves 1-0 Sherborne Town Reserves - report

Buoyed by the goal and hungry for more in the second half, Stur dictated play and demonstrated why they are title candidates.

Elliot Bevis made it 2-0 with a scrappy finish, before Nick Thomson scored another goal from a set-play, leaping high to place a header beyond Mark Cuff in the Bees’ goal.

As Bridport’s resistance faded, Jamie Danoris made it 4-0 and Bevis rounded off the victory with a fine free-kick, leaving the Bees with a harsh scoreline that did not match their level of competitiveness.

The defeat leaves Bridport Reserves seven points above the drop zone with three matches in hand on Sherborne Town Reserves.

Adam Herring’s men now turn their attentions to a derby at home to Dorchester Sports on Saturday (3pm).