ODD DOWN (BATH) 2 BRIDPORT 0

SAM Buckler’s season is over after the Bridport defender suffered a broken leg during his side’s defeat at title challengers Odd Down on Tuesday night.

The referee was seconds away from blowing the full-time whistle when Buckler went in for a tackle and ended up breaking his right tibia and fibia.

Buckler was taken to Bath Hospital by the emergency services following the incident and could now be in plaster for up to four months.

Bees’ boss Trevor Senior paid tribute to the paramedics and hospital staff that treated Buckler, while he thanked Bridport physio Lloyd Green for travelling to A&E with his player.

He was also full of praise for the centre-back, who has been one of the Bees’ most consistent performers this season.

The result of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash – a 2-0 win for the hosts – paled into insignificance for Senior given the injury to Buckler.

“We were in injury-time and I thought the referee was about to blow the whistle,” he said. “The game was over as a contest at that point.

“There was a 50-50 just outside the box and Sam, as ever, went into it full-blooded, but we knew by the sound of the challenge that he had broken his leg.

“From the dugout it was almost like the crack of a whip, but it wasn’t a bad tackle from either player and no-one was to blame.

“Lloyd Green was very good and stayed with Sam when the paramedics took him to the hospital.”

He added: “This is gutting for Sam. He has been massive for us this season.

“Obviously his main concern now is his livelihood because he is going to be out for a long time.

“These lads play for a bit of travelling expenses and when they’re playing you just don’t think about things like this.”

Senior was also disappointed that Bridport didn’t get anything from the game.

Two second-half Troy Simpson goals earned Odd Down the points, however, the visitors bossed the first period and should have led going into the interval.

With the likes of Ryan Hayter, Jamie Beasley, Chris Senior, Tom Richardson and Dan Peach all unavailable, Bridport only took a squad of 12 to the Lew Hill Memorial Ground.

Boss Senior gave Tom Blair his full debut and the away side created chance after chance from the kick-off but just couldn’t find the net.

They also felt the hosts should have been reduced to 10 men when Mark Salter appeared to be brought down when clean through on goal.

Matt Condliffe, Alan Hill and Max Buckler went close before the break and keeper Ashley Weeks had very little to do at the other end.

There were further scoring opportunities after half-time but Simpson bagged a brace to keep Odd Down firmly in the hunt for the title.

Bridport travel to Clevedon Town this Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Weeks, Evans, Clarke, S Buckler, Hill, Stewart, Blair (Diaz 75), M Buckler, Salter, Byerley, Condliffe