BRIDPORT 3

BRISLINGTON 1

BRIDPORT secured their first win in three games with a 3-1 win over Brislington in the Toolstation Western Premier Division at St Mary’s Field.

Ed Butcher put the Bees 1-0 up after seven minutes, converting a raking pass from Braeden Symes, but Brislington equalised before the break.

In a closely-contested second half Leigh Bailey moved Bridport into the lead on 72 minutes, before Mark Salter grabbed his 11th goal of the season six minutes later.

The win consolidates 12th place for the Bees, who still have as many as four games in hand on some teams above them.

Speaking to the Bridport News after the match, Bees’ boss Adam Fricker felt the victory was “hard fought” on what he described as a “really heavy pitch”.

He said: “It was hard fought on a really heavy pitch and it was good to get the three points. It was really important that we took the game to them and we got the three points.

“It was pleasing that we started brightly but then we allowed them back into it. Ed scored a cracker early on and we didn’t capitalise on a few early chances we had.

“Second half we were solid and they were very physical. They were allowed to get away with some very heavy challenges. The main thing for us is that we put on a performance and we thoroughly deserved the three points.”

Talking through the goals, Fricker praised his side for being “professional” during a difficult encounter.

He said: “Ed scored the first, it was a cracking ball from Braeden, cross-field from 40 yards. Ed took a great touch and smashed it from the edge of the box.

“The second was from a corner, the ball came to Lee Sweet. Tom Richardson flicked it on and Leigh volleyed it from eight yards.

“The third was Salts doing what Salts does, closing them down, and the ball ricocheted for an open goal for a tap in.

“Sometimes you just have to grind out results and that’s actually what they did. They were professional, they did what they needed to do. It was really pleasing for us.”

Fricker also referenced the debut of Jon Vance and the return to playing action of Louis Rutter as positives.

He said: “Jon made his debut and I think there’s going to be more to come from him once he gets his fitness up.

“We’ve been able to get Louis on the pitch for the last 10 minutes as well, which was great to see.”

Bees: Smith, James (Andrews 60), Bailey, Martin, Sweet, Vance, Symes, Thomas (Rutter 82), Richardson (Latas 80), Butcher, Salter. Sub not used: Cornish