GILLINGHAM TOWN 1

BRIDPORT 0

ADAM Fricker admitted his Bridport players have a lot to learn after their 1-0 defeat to Gillingham Town at Hardings Lane.

Harry Baker scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute for the hosts, but it should’ve been more as they struck the upright in both halves.

Ed Butcher was the brightest spark for the Bees, but he could not find a leveller in what was a frustrating evening for Bridport.

After the game, Fricker told Echosport: “Individual errors are frustrating and they have cost us.

“It’s a step up for the lads, they have to start learning because a long ball down the middle has cost us.”

Bridport were on the defensive for much of the game and struggled to threaten the hosts’ backline.

Instead, it was Baker who was causing the problems for the home side. A hopeful long ball hit George Chlopecki’s back before falling in the striker’s path for him to slot home the only goal of the game.

Although the hosts hit the post through Jack Vance soon after, Bridport did create some chances of their own in the first half.

Butcher, who had the beating of Gillingham’s Harry Montacute throughout the clash, was the main threat for the visitors.

He forced a good save from Jamie Beale and, minutes later, found Mark Salter with a low cross, but the striker’s effort was deflected just over.

As the game wore on, it was the hosts, who looked more likely to score.

Baker was back in the action, this time striking the frame of the goal with a rasping half-volley that had Jason Hutchings well beaten just after the hour mark.

The Bees equalised late on on Saturday in their 1-1 draw with Odd Down, but couldn’t do the same on Tuesday night as the Gills saw the game out comfortably to seal their first league win of the season.

Fricker added: “We’ve had a tough start and we have some experienced players out.

“But, we’re not going to make any rash decisions.

“It’s narrow margins but sooner rather than later we need to turn these performances into results.”

Speaking about Butcher, Fricker said: “He is taking the league by storm. He’s learning and he’s now playing his best football.”

Bees: Hutchings, Haines, Martin (Spurway 67) , Barrett, Chlopecki, Hastings, Symes (Blair 57), Rutter, Salter, Bulman, Butcher

Subs not used: Peach, Hill