BARNSTAPLE TOWN 4

BRIDPORT 1

DESPITE a valiant second-half showing, Bridport’s wait to end their run without a win in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division was extended, as they fell to a 4-1 loss at Barnstaple Town.

The hosts, who are in red-hot form having now won four on the bounce, took a 2-0 lead prior to the break at Mill Road thanks to two goals from striker Ryan Turner.

Matt Condliffe combined well with Tom Richardson prior to the break for the visitors but the former’s shot fell wide.

The Bees came out determined after the break and Chris Clarke saw an effort stabbed off the line before Barnstaple added their third.

Dave Pearse turned in a corner from the right to make it 3-0 despite boss Trevor Senior believing keeper Steve Boore had been fouled.

Jamie Beasley then pulled one back for the away side when he cut in from the left and struck a shot that beat Barnstaple keeper Steve Oliver all ends up and it could have been 3-2 when substitute Tom Blair’s delivery was met by Ryan Dovell, whose header was remarkably saved.

But Barnstaple killed the game off with a goal from substitute Will Nicholls, which had suspicions of offside.

Senior, who is set to depart the club at the end of the season, said: “Fair play to the lads, in the second half we were a different side.

“We matched them in midfield, got on top of them and played some decent football – on another day we would have probably come away with something.

“Overall I felt sorry for Steve Boore because he had a good game in goal. His all-round goalkeeping was good but he let in four goals and didn’t have a chance with any of them.”

Bees: Boore, Hill (Blair 55), Clarke, Evans, Dovell, Hayter, Condliffe, Peach, Salter, Richardson, Beasley. Sub not used: Hadley