Sport

Bridport Town FC 3 Plymouth Marjon 0 By STUART WICKHAM

Manager Chris Herbst was delighted with his team’s performance, as The Bees ended their year-long wait for a league win in some style. Goals from the returning Tom Richardson, new boy Jack Wright, and Riley Weedon earned them a comfortable victory against Plymouth Marjon. It was a showing which perfectly demonstrated the team’s new-found belief, and Herbst was full of praise for his team, and for the new faces at St Mary’s Field. Herbst said: “It’s a massive win for us and I couldn’t be happier. I went to a wedding evening do after the match, and I really couldn’t stop smiling. The only disappointment is that we could have won by more, we missed a few chances and winning five or six nil wouldn’t have flattered us at all.” Former fans’ favourite Richardson returned to the club to add much-needed experience, and made an immediate impact, poking home from short range after 18 minutes to give the hosts the lead. New boy Wright doubled The Bees’ advantage just before half-time, scoring with a powerful header from a corner, and Weedon made the game safe on 75 minutes, firing past the Marjon goalkeeper following a quick breakaway. Herbst was quick to single out Richardson and Wright for special mentions. “They are both great signings for us, and I’m so pleased that we’ve got them on board, along with Manny Roche and Kieran Daniels. I have been aiming to add their sort of experience and it’s had a massive impact for us. It’s a real boost for the dressing room, and it keeps that competition for places going that’s so vital for us. We had players on the bench yesterday who probably had strong cases to be playing, but I can only pick 11 and it’s great that we have players wanting to compete for the opportunity. “Tom spent six or seven years with the club before, and he is so assured in holding the ball up, and will always get goals. It just gives everybody more confidence. Jack was also superb on Saturday and would have been man of the match had it not been for Tom. He’s such a presence in the defence and getting a clean sheet is absolutely massive for us. I don’t care if we win games one nil, we just have to make it hard for teams to break us down. Really delighted with the players we’ve brought in, and it’s fantastic that they’re so willing to play for our club.” The Bees came into the match following a bizarre 5-3 reverse at home to Royal Wootton Bassett in the FA Vase. An unlikely comeback looked possible as Bridport looked to fight back from 5-0 down, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes, and creating more chances as the game drew to a close. Herbst said: “We made some silly mistakes in that one and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. They are in a league above us, but we have faced better teams this season. You just can’t afford to concede three goals in the first ten minutes and expect to compete in games. “What was pleasing against Marjon was that we carried on where we left off, and were positive from the first whistle – and we cut out those mistakes, which we need to continue.” n The Bees will look to claim more points as they face fellow strugglers, Elburton Villa, and midtable Cullompton Rangers, in their next two games. Herbst said: “We’ve got a tough looking set of fixtures in December, so really need to win these games against the teams in the bottom half. I hope we can keep the belief going and start working our way up the table.”

GOOD TO BE BACK: Tom Richardson, pictured right, scored on his return to the club Picture: STEVE BARRETT Richardson’s return fires Bees to first win in a year

Dorchester Town 1 Gunson (75’) Salisbury 0 ATT: 657

By HARRRY ADAMS Dorchester Town Correspondent

Charlie Gunson grabbed the winner as Dorchester Town made it two wins in the space of five days in the Southern League Premier South. Gunson’s goal, with just 15 minutes remaining, was enough to give the Magpies the points to crown an impressive week, and see them move up to seventh in the table. Glenn Howes’ men were coming into the game full of optimism, fresh from an impressive 3-1 win at Merthyr Town on Tuesday night. There was only one change from the victory in Wales, with Tiago Sa replacing goal scorer Louie Slough, who dropped to the bench. Aldershot Town loanee Ryan Hall kept his place in goal to make his home debut for the club, with another new face in Harvey Bradbury, signed from Gosport Borough, finding himself among the substitutes. There were some familiar names in the visiting squad, with Joshua Wakefield, Calvin Brooks, Antonio Diaz and Charlie Davis making up the four ex-Magpies in the Salisbury camp. It was a lively start to proceedings for the hosts, as they squandered two excellent chances within the first ten minutes. First Olaf Koszela flashed a shot just wide of Salisbury keeper Gerard Benfield’s far post after some excellent build up play from Matt Neale, before Gunson headed agonisingly wide after some more excellent play from Neale. Clear-cut chances were at a minimum in the first quarter of the game, with the visitors only effort coming from a wild long-range effort from Joshua Wakefield. There was still plenty of creativity from the home side despite the lack of chances. Jordan Ngalo and Neale linked up well down the left just before the halfhour mark, however, both Olaf Koszela and Alex Moyse were unable to make the most of the opportunities they were presented with. Salisbury did eventually manage to get a foothold toward the end of the first period, and nearly took the lead in first-half stoppage time. Ex-Weymouth man Brandon Goodship with a free kick from range that nearly caught out Ryan Hall, who did well to push the ball to safety. It was also the visitors who had the first real chance of the second 45 , with Daniel Fitchett’s close-range header parried away by Hall. This seemed to wake up the hosts, as they dominated proceedings from this moment onwards, with new signing Bradbury handed his debut just after the hour mark. The debutant almost put the Magpies ahead after some excellent play from Koszela saw him slip through Neale, who flashed the ball across goal with Bradbury inches away from getting a toe on it. There was another chance for the hosts minutes later, with Gunson seeing his long-range effort saved by Benfield, who was having an impressive afternoon. On the 75-minute mark, it was Gunson who finally made the breakthrough. More brilliant work down Dorchester’s left-hand side saw Tiago Sa burst past the Salisbury back line, and his first time cross was thundered into the back of the net by Gunson, leaving Benfield with no chance. Dorchester remained on top after the goal, dominating the ball and winning all the midfield battles, however, clear-cut chances remained at a minimum. Koszela firing the ball over from distance being the only effort of note. As the game reached its climax, Salisbury began to pile on the pressure, and had a strong penalty shout waved away by referee Carl Peters in the first of six additional minutes after the ball had bounced up onto the arm of substitute Louie Slough. However, the Magpies managed to hang on to claim the win, and they will aim to make it three on the bounce when the Met Police visit The Avenue on Saturday, November 5.

NICE ONE: Charlie Gunson is congratulated by team mates and fans for his decisive goal for the Magpies Pictures: PHIL STANFIELD

Gunson’s winner a lift for Magpies

n Players, officials, fans and volunteers came together to raise money for MIND at the game between Sherborne Town and Ashton and Backwell United. Zebras’ players donated their expenses from the fixture to the charity, to help support local people in need of help with their mental well-being. Meanwhile on the pitch, striker Alex Murphy, pictured right, scored two goals, including a landmark 50th goal for the club. There was late heartbreak for the Zebras, however, as Ashton scored in stoppage time to win the match 3-2.

Zebras battle back to share the points

Sherborne Town Ladies 2 Bristol Rovers Women 2 Manager Jemma Tewkesbury made a rare appearance on the pitch to help her team come from 2-0 down and earn a point against second-placed Bristol Rovers, and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Trailing by two goals at the break, Jemma scored ten minutes into the second period, before Kelly Snook equalised just two minutes later. It was another battling performance from the Zebras, who remain one point clear at the top of the Premier Division. Jemma’s team next entertain Warminster Town, before travelling to Bristol to play Rovers in the reverse fixture.

ON THE PITCH: Jemma Tewkesbury

Sherborne Town Ladies 4 Ilminster Town Ladies 0 Speaking after an impressive win at home to Ilminster Town Ladies, Jemma Tewkesbury singled out goalkeeper Emily Hall, who scooped the player of the match award, despite Becky Narramore scoring a hat-trick in the win. Jemma said: “Sunday’s game was a test for our girls, having lost to Ilminster three times last season, they were motivated to ensure this didn’t happen again. “Ilminster had a fair share of opportunities and just before half time they were awarded a penalty, which luckily crashed against the bar. “Emily made a number of fine saves throughout the match to keep the clean sheet. What a great player she is.” Sherborne started brightly and were rewarded when Narramore struck from range after cutting inside. Her second came 15 minutes later following a great through ball from Terri Will which sent her in behind the back line, before she shifted the ball away from the keeper to slot home. Narramore duly completed a first-half hat-trick, firing home after some good work from Kelly Snook. Hall was in inspired form to keep the visitors at bay as they sought to find a way back into the game, before substitute Chloe Perham secured the win with a 20-yard strike in the 80th minute to put the game out of sight.

Bridport First XI 28 Lytchett Minster 26

By STUART BRIGGS

The Blues earned their first win of the season in dramatic style with Mitch Waters converting Stewart Burton’s try with the last kick of the match to secure victory. It was well-deserved win, in an entertaining match, taking place in front of a large crowd at Brewery Fields. The visitors opened the scoring, gathering the ball and spinning it down the line for a score in the corner, which was well converted. The Blues responded and were held up by some strong Lytchett defence as they looked to wipe out the deficit. The hosts did manage to cross shortly afterwards, turning over a scrum and launching a magnificent driving maul towards the Lytchett 22. The Blues forced a penalty, which was taken quickly by Corbin Newman who crossed for a converted try. The game was being played at a cracking pace with both teams showing excellent skills in attack and defence. The Blues got a break when Lytchett conceded a penalty after excellent work by Nathan Herbert with Jed Gravelle making sure of the three points with a confident kick. It was then Lytchett’s turn to apply some pressure and the Blues escaped when the visitors made a clean break after running an excellent line in the backs only for the pass to be forward. The reprieve was short-lived as Lytchett’s forwards kept the pressure on and drove over for a converted try. From the restart, the Blues again showed their excellent mauling skills, driving towards Lytchett’s 22, before setting up Samways for a lightning run from the back of the maul, to cross in the corner for an unconverted try, and a well-deserved half-time lead of 15-14. Waters extended the home side’s lead from a penalty kick after Lytchett were caught offside from a lineout, and added another more spectacular effort shortly afterwards, as he landed a superb kick from just inside the Blues’ half to extend the lead to 21-14. The game lost some of its momentum with the Blues’ dominant scrum unable to make any real impression on the opponent’s defence, enabling the visitors to regroup and ease their way back into the game. After a prolonged period of pressure in the Blues’ 22, their defence was finally broken with a try in the corner, which was followed by an excellent kick to tie the scores with ten minutes to go. Lifted by the score, Lytchett turned the screw and with the forwards setting up a good position, excellent handling in the backs gave them and unconverted try in the corner. The Blues showed tremendous fighting spirit to turn things around at the death. When a Lytchett penalty pushed them back into their own half, they forced their opponents to concede a penalty. Waters found touch on the Lytchett 22, and a superb catch and drive, with backs joining in, gave Burton the score, and Waters kept his cool to secure a deserved victory.

UP FOR IT: A clean line-out ball for Bridport’s Will Murley against Lytchett Pictures: STUART BRIGGS Waters’ late conversion seals Blues’ first success

CHARGE: Blues on the attack against Lytchett

Sport Young anglers take on the elements for junior match

Ten hardy young anglers from West Bay Sea Angling Club braved testing weather conditions for their recent junior match on the East Pier. The youngsters battled against squally showers and a strong wind which caused a heavy swell and coloured the water. The match was finished an hour early due to the worsening weather, however the juniors managed to land a range of species including whiting, pout, pollack and eel. The award for first and biggest fish went to Mason Price, with Ross Bourne winning the accolades for most catches and the smallest fish. Mason finished in first place overall with 268g, with Ross in second place with 176g. Harris Risdale finished in third with 74g. The club would like to thank everybody who braved the inclement conditions to either fish, or to lend their support, particularly Ian Draper and Dean Lodge, and Angling Centre West Bay for providing tackle. The club’s next match is on Saturday, November 19, please see the club website for details.

WINDSWEPT: The West Bay Sea Angling Club

Trophy match raises money for MNDA

By BRIAN BAKER

Bridport and West Dorset Indoor Bowls Club opened up their friendlies programme with the annual Max Dare Memorial Charity Trophy match against the Dorset County side, which raised over £300 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The match swung one way then the other before ending in a 70.79 draw, which left a one rink shoot out between Bridport’s John Burwood’s four and the County’s Paul Tidby’s four. Burwood looked to have played the perfect wood to win it but, agonisingly, it ran two inches too far to leave the county side the victors by one shot in an enthralling encounter. Mike Smith won the spider, and sportingly donated the bottle of whisky for auction, which raised an

GREAT MATCH: Bridport bowlers raise over £300 for the MNDA competing for the Max Dare Memorial Trophy Picture: PHIL GODFREY additional £25 for the charity. Scores: Mike Higman, Mike Smith, Ann Turtell and John Burwood 22.17 Mike Craddock, Mel Griffiths, Brian Rumble and Sue Walsh 19.19 Gordon Lee, Bob Hill, Andy Marsh and Paul Hallett, Alan Wotherspoon and Mike Fletcher 19.24. Against the Severalls Club of Crewkerne, Sylvia Fletcher, Penny Pither, Phil Godfrey and Paul Fletcher took top rink award winning 33.8, followed by a 31.6 win for Lorraine Hill, Roger Cowmeadow, Brian Suffling and Keven Rendell. Bernard Perry, Bill Duchie-Jones, Daniel Humphries and Mary Hansford finished 4.2 for a 16.11 win. Ron Hill, Sue Winkle, Jackie Godfrey and Nick Edwards made it a clean sweep, winning 18.13.