NEWTON ABBOT SPURS 2

BRIDPORT 1

BRIDPORT sustained their third loss in four South West Peninsula League Premier East games with a 2-1 defeat at Newton Abbot Spurs.

Bridport’s downturn in form means finishing in sixth place could be a harsh reality for a Bees side that has challenged in second position for much of the season.

Early on in Devon, Sol Ayunga saw a couple of half chances come and go, while Newton Abbot hit the post.

But Ayunga grabbed his 11th goal of the season in the 32nd minute but Spurs rallied and drew level when Sam Barnes’ deflected effort spun over keeper Jason Hutchings’ head.

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Soon afterwards, Sam Green connected sweetly with a rising drive that found the top corner for 2-1.

Bridport spurned late chances to find an equaliser as Brad Rowe failed to trouble the Spurs’ goalkeeper on his unfavoured right foot, while Fred Parsons was denied in a one-on-one.

Speaking post-match, Bees’ assistant Mark Lock said: “It’s petering out, it’s just down to injuries and unavailability.

“We’ve got lads to cover, just not senior heads. The lads are learning but it is petering out after the semi-final against Okehampton, it’s been disappointing.

“It’s only moments of the game that it’s happening.”

Bridport move on to the rearranged home derby with Honiton tomorrow evening (7.45pm).

Lock added: “We’ve just got to get them back to playing where it’s natural, that's where we were at the start of the season.

“The lads were not even thinking about it and we were unbeatable sometimes.”

Lock also stressed Bridport’s defensive record needs improvement.

He said: “If you look at the other teams now, it’s 50 goals we’ve conceded and Ivybridge have 22 and Crediton 41. We’ve got to stop conceding so many, that’s from the front backwards.”

Luke King and Darren Lock (both ankle) could return.

Bees: Hutchings, G Calverley, Gall, Leader, Owen (Cox 85), Brook (T Diaz 51), Parsons, Maunsell (N House 75), Weedon, Jones (Rowe 69, Coombs 85), Ayunga.