BEE STING: Chris Senior celebrates after hittting a last-minute winner

BRIDPORT 3

SHEPTON M 2

OPPORTUNIST Chris Senior was the unexpected hero for Bridport with two last-ditch strikes to dispose of gritty Shepton Mallet at St Mary's Field.

Central-defender Senior, more renowned for sterling work at the other end, twice popped up at the death to spearhead a remarkable comeback and earn the man of the match plaudits.

Despite gaining a first half lead through Russell Legg, the Bees were trailing with the engrossing contest in its final throws after conceding either side of the interval.

However, when composure was crucial in a tense environment, Senior was on hand to salvage three priceless Toolstation Western League Division One points and emphasise his never-say-die attitude.

Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, assistant manager Andy Mason said: "I'm absolutely delighted, the performance wasn't brilliant but we knew if we kept putting pressure on them we'd get our rewards.

"Hutch (boss Ian Hutchinson) said at half-time that we needed to die in the box from set-pieces and Chris did that, which was great for us.

"We've won both our games at home now and we've got to do that and get something on our travels."

"We are going to get beaten by some teams but if we can beat those in and around us then we've got a chance."

Simon Radcliffe's longstanding hernia injury prompted Hutchinson to employ his favoured 3-5-2 formation, recalling himself to the starting XI and including Mark Kenway in the defensive trio after his midweek run out.

Bridport enjoyed the opening exchanges and were ahead when midfielder Legg found himself in acres of space to lash home from six yards.

But the scorer swiftly changed from hero to villain, dispossessed in his own half before watching Ren Turnock enforce the ultimate punishment courtesy of a deadly 25-yard strike.

With the Bees subdued, Shepton upped their tempo and went ahead 10 minutes after the interval when James Parrott jinked his way into shooting territory before curling in a delightful shot to the dismay of the passionate home faithful.

Livewire Jamie Morgan was introduced as Bridport reverted to 4-4-2, and the substitute's dynamic burst became the catalyst for a fruitful final assault.

Morgan terrorised the opposing defence, injecting fresh energy alongside Shane Evans, who won the corner from which Bridport levelled.

Hutchinson supplied a threatening cross that resulted in a goalmouth scramble where Senior bustled in to score.

The home side, unsatisfied with a point, poured forward in their droves and five minutes into stoppage time, Senior pounced on a spilled free-kick to trigger delirious scenes.

Bridport remain 14th in Division One, sandwiched between Minehead and Westbury United, with three wins and three defeats giving a symmetrical look to their progress.

Bees: Cleal, Hayter, Hutchinson, Lock, Senior, Kenway, Legg (Morgan 64), Wise, Evans (Ward 90), Clarke, Condliffe (Mason 75).

Booked: Legg, Hayter Bees' man of the match (sponsored by Bridport Co-op): Chris Senior Attendance: 87

8:54am Monday 6th October 2008

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