BRIDPORT 0

SHEPTON MALLET 3

INTERIM boss Mark Carter was left underwhelmed by his sides’ set-piece defending after the Bees were beaten 3-0 by Shepton Mallet at home in the Toolstation Western Premier League on Saturday.

All three of the visitors' goals came from set plays. After conceding in the first half because they did not clear their lines, the home side contrived to let in two more goals – one in the 70th minute, and the other coming in the final minute – from similar situations.

Carter was left feeling annoyed about this trend that has impacted their whole season.

He said: “This has been one of my biggest gripes this season that people lose concentration and don’t track their runners.

“If it’s not that then it is the second phase, players are ball watching and are slow to react. We make it easy for teams to score against us.”

The Bees only had 13 players available for the game and had players starting with illness and injury.

But despite their issues, the home side cancelled their visitors out for much of the first half, creating chances of their own.

Jamie Beasley headed over from a corner and Tom Richardson snatched at a good chance when well-placed in the danger area.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock and carried that momentum into the second half, looking fitter than their opponents despite playing their fourth game in a week.

“I don’t want to use the player shortage as an excuse,” Carter said. “We had players playing out of position and out of their comfort zone.

“There wasn’t much sharpness about us. and it was a lacklustre performance.

There was a worry for Sean Stewart who went down off the ball complaining of dizziness.

However, after coming off and receiving treatment he was deemed okay.

Carter is after a reaction from his players when they play Longwell Green Sports tomorrow night.

“They have to be disappointed and they need to have a look at themselves.

“There are six games to go now and we are playing for some pride.”

Bees: Hadley, Condliffe, Gale, Hayter, King, Blair (Evans, 45), Peach, Stewart (Duvell, 65), Beasley (Radivosja, 75), Salter, Richardson.

Subs not used: None