CADBURY HEATH 2

BRIDPORT 3

 (aet, 2-2 after 90 minutes)

BRIDPORT boss Adam Fricker could not “speak highly enough” of his players after their dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Cadbury Heath in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

The Bees had surged into a 2-0 first-half lead courtesy of Richard Hebditch and Tom Richardson strikes, but the Heathens hit back through Simon McElroy and an 89th minute Matt Huxley goal to force extra-time.

With hosts Heath tiring, Ed Butcher provided the decisive blow with a driven effort in the 110th minute to earn an away trip to National League South side St Albans City next Saturday.

Fricker told Echosport he had "concerns" after conceding a late leveller: “I just felt deflated and felt for the lads – a similar feeling to what we had on Saturday. I looked on the pitch and they were just gone.

“I did have concerns in extra-time but we tried to rally them and said they needed to get their heads up. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads to go out and do what they did. They were outstanding.

“They are the best bunch of lads, they deserve all the accolades for this.”

Giving his assessment of the match, Fricker said the Bees had to “weather” a second-half fightback from the hosts.

“The first goal was good work from Leighton Thomas down the right hand side and Hebbo knocked it in from eight yards out. Then Tom Richardson swivelled and volleyed one from 25 yards, it was a cracking finish.

“But they just got that goal and it rocked us a little bit. They chucked everything at it and at times they were playing four up top. We had to weather a bit of a storm,” he said.

“They had a long ball forward and Hutch (Jason Hutchings) came out to punch it and their lad got in front and headed it in.

“We looked really strong in extra-time. They had nothing, you could see. Ed ran at them and drove a shot in, they couldn’t get near him,” he added.

And Fricker wants Bridport to get their "heads straight” ahead of a trip to Bitton in the Toolstation Western Premier Division on Saturday (3pm).

“We need to get our heads straight and get focused on league action. It’s going to be a tough game. They have had a big influx of money but they’ve had a bit of an up and down start.

“Braeden Symes is on four bookings so we need to make a decision on him. Lee Sweet will make his debut,” he said.

Bees: Hutchings, Andrews, Vere, L Bailey, Martin, Symes, Thomas, Richardson (Cornish 100), Butcher, Salter, Hebditch (Latas 70). Subs not used: Hill, Smith