despite setbacks

After a fine recent run of goal scoring form, West Dorset Magazine football correspondent HARRY ADAMS caught up with Dorchester Town striker Harvey Bradbury to discuss his time at Dorchester and his thoughts on his current hot streak.

HA: So Harvey, just wanted to start with how you’ve settled into the club since coming in in October, how have the lads and Glenn been and how are you enjoying the atmosphere at The Avenue?

HB: Yeah I’ve really enjoyed it so far, the fans, players and staff have all been great to me, it’s always tough joining a new side mid season but I feel like I’ve settled in really well.

HA: And obviously you’ve hit form lately netting in the last two games, you must be very pleased with that and with the teams overall form since you arrived?

HB: It took me a while to get the first one but feel like that’s a big weight lifted off of me now, I feel like I can score a load more before the end of the season and hopefully keep us in the play-off spots! Our form has been incredible.

I think we’ve lost only twice since I’ve been here! Long may it continue.

HA: How was the Hartley Wintney game overall for the lads? The conditions looked terrible and obviously the manager saw red at the end. An entertaining afternoon?

HB: Yeah I think it was a real test of character for the boys , not the best place to play football on a good day let alone in those conditions, we dealt with it very well and it shows our grit and determination as a team. I think the red card on the gaffer was very harsh.

HA: To finish off, are you hopeful the team can keep the form up and end up in play off contention come the end of the season? And is that the overall ambition?

HB: I believe we’ve got a good enough squad to be able to make the play offs, as a team we haven’t spoke about that being our ambition , we just take it game by game and hopefully we’ll be in or around it by the end of the season, fingers crossed!

Richardson at the double to aid Bees

Bridport Town 1

Newton Abbot Spurs 1

The Bees got off to a positive start in 2023, following up their impressive win against Torridgeside with a draw against high-flying Newton Abbot Spurs, who had run out 6-0 winners in the reverse fixture. Having endured a series of postponements, Chris Herbst’s teams have resumed their strong form and the results have seen them rise to 16th in the league table with games in hand on those around them. Tom Richardson scored his second in two games after just six minutes to give the Bees the lead against the Devon team who started the game in fifth place. Spurs equalised five minutes before the break during a period of sustained pressure, although there was a large slice of luck about the Spurs’ goal, with an intended cross taking a huge deflection off a Bees’ defender, wrong-footing keeper Jordan Scadding. Scadding was called upon to make a series of smart saves in a closely-contested second half to preserve Bridport’s impressive recent run.

Bridport Town 1

Torridgeside 0

Tom Richardson pounced on a goalkeeping blunder to score the games’ only goal on the half-hour mark, as Bridport picked up where they left off after losing many scheduled fixtures to the elements.

Richardson looked to be chasing a lost cause as he ran on to a bouncing through ball, but

Torridgeside goalkeeper

Elijah Clarke was caught in no man’s land, allowing the Bees’ striker to nudge the ball past him, and run through unopposed to score.

Torridgeside continued to carry a constant threat, even when they were reduced to ten men with 25 minutes remaining, and despite Richardson seeing his late penalty saved, Chris Herbst’s side held on well to secure the points.