BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 4

BRIDPORT 0

STEADILY improving Bridport kept Buckland Athletic honest as the Bucks struck late to win 4-0 in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

In what was almost a carbon copy of Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Millbrook, the Bees were well in the game until energy faded late on.

But the green shoots of growth are beginning to show, with Riley Weedon smashing yet another shot against the crossbar.

Troy Walbridge was also denied twice by Bucks’ keeper Andy Collings, while Mike Hill saw an additional chance go awry.

In the end, Buckland’s greater experience and physical presence told – although they were held by the Bees for 32 minutes.

That was until Richard Groves netted a penalty low into the bottom-right corner following a foul on Nathan Cooper.

READ MORE: Millbrook 4-0 Bridport - match report

Cooper turned scorer after the break when he buried Rob Farkins’ lay-off.

There was an element of fortune about Buckland’s third as Charlie Johansen’s jinking run and shot was deflected past keeper Jordon Scadding.

And arguably the best goal was saved until last when Tor Swann’s delicious cross picked out Frazer Clark to head home at the back post.

The result keeps pointless Bridport bottom of the table, while Buckland remain unbeaten in second place.

While this was another defeat for the youthful Bees, it was a slight improvement on the 5-0 loss at Buckland last season.

Speaking post-match, boss Rob Marquis said: “We did alright and probably like Saturday the result didn’t really reflect the game.

“I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, they played really well and I was proud of their efforts.

“I appreciate the score doesn’t look great. Set that aside, they worked hard and there were some very good individual performances all round.

“All of them put a shift in, fair play to all 14 of them.”

Marquis added: “Were they a better side than us? Yeah. Realistically, I’ve got near enough an under-18 side.

“They will all be very good players but we perhaps lack a bit of experience.

“We did give them a good game, without a shadow. If I’m honest, 2-0 was probably reflective of the game. I couldn’t say we were better than them or deserved to win.

“They had some quality players with a good system and played well. They were always composed, just experienced enough to do enough.

“At the end, they were quite pleased to get away with 4-0 because we were only 1-0 down at half-time. We certainly gave them a game.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, Greenwood-Neate, Ja Scadding, Hansford, Owen, Jarvis, Boulton (Carlile 65), Hill, Walbridge (Burwood 70), Weedon, McNamara (Adler 75).