BRIDPORT 1 GILLINGHAM TOWN 3

BRIDPORT rounded off their league programme at St Mary’s Field today with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Gillingham Town.

Bees boss Trevor Senior was again frustrated with the way his side defended, with all of the Gills’ goals coming from mistakes at the back.

The visitors took an early lead when Edward Fairnington beat the Bridport offside trap before firing past Ashley Weeks.

However, the hosts responded well and it didn’t take too long for them to equalise.

Dan Wise’s initial ball into the box was blocked but when he did manage to cross at the second attempt there was Warren Byerley to head in.

Gillingham went agonisingly close to regaining the lead minutes later, only this time Steve Smith shot inches wide.

The same player then went even closer, clipping the Bridport crossbar with a shot just before the half-time interval.

But 10 minutes into the second half Gillingham did score their second of the afternoon.

The goal came from a free-kick on the right-hand side which was given for a foul by Matt Condliffe.

Nick Hewlett linked up with Smith at the set-piece and the latter finally got on the scoresheet.

Bridport thought they had levelled for a second time in the game only to see a header from no more than five yards out bounce into the ground and over the bar.

Former Bees keeper Sam Filkins, now playing for Gillingham, was grateful to see the danger averted.

Filkins was then called into action to prevent Condliffe equalising after a pinpoint ball by Chris Clarke.

Tom Richardson and Tristan Gale also saw attempts miss the target in the last 10 minutes.

Then, with a minute left, Ryan Hayter and Shane Evans collided, allowing Gills replacement Elliott Bevis to seal the win.

“It was a bit of a non-event,” said Senior. "And it was disappointing for us after our second half at Street on Good Friday.

“We expected to push on from there but we didn’t, and the trouble was we gave Gillingham all three of their goals through defensive mistakes.

“The game had a typical end-of-season feel to it and we finished our home games with something of a whimper.

“There are no excuses from us, we just didn’t play well enough on the day.”

Bridport, whose three remaining games this season are all away from home, stay 15th in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

Gillingham’s triumph puts them just one point behind the Bees with a match in hand.

Bees: Weeks, Condliffe, C Clarke, Evans, J Symes, Ry Hayter, A Symes (Hill 69), Wise, Richardson (T Gale 74), Byerley, Morley. Subs not used: Senior, Carter.

Bees man of the match: Jamie Symes

Attendance: 101