BRIDPORT 1

GILLINGHAM TOWN 3

BRIDPORT resumed their pre-season schedule with a 3-1 loss to Gillingham Town at St Mary’s Field.

Chris Herbst’s men were given Saturday off as a final point of rest before the Bees ramp up their preparations for the new South West Peninsula League Premier East season.

They last played Hamworthy Rec, a fellow Step 6 side, on Saturday, July 8 and won 4-1 but here, against another Step 6 outfit, they were found wanting in a rusty first half.

Gillingham moved 2-0 up thanks to a double by Aaron Lane-Leney, including intercepting a stray Kieren Daniels pass to score.

READ MORE: Jake Owen and Ryan Leader seal returns to Bridport

Bridport were not without chances themselves, their stand-out performer Harley Brook working the Gills’ keeper into a good early save.

Tom Richardson had a header cleared off the line, while Brad Rowe and George Calverley also found their paths to goal blocked.

Bridport began the second half much more sharply, Richardson cutting the deficit with an astute finish.

Brook continued to threaten with his crosses and Sol Ayunga was denied on the line as the hosts pushed for a leveller.

However, Gillingham put the result beyond doubt when Dan Baggs gave a foul away and former Bridport player Max Westlake buried a direct free-kick beyond sub keeper Greg Taylor.

Herbst told the Bridport News: “I actually thought we played quite well, we just had sloppy goals to give away.

“The first 30 minutes we weren’t at it and after that we kicked into it. It’s one of those, minutes under the belt.

“There were some good performances and then things we’ve got to tweak. It’s nothing major.

“Overall, me and the management were quite happy.”

Asked if the ten-day break between games contributed to a sluggish start, Herbst replied: “No, I don’t.

“It’s hard to put my finger on it, it was just a few things. Fitness-wise we kept going and we were really on top of them in the second half.”

Bees: Jo Scadding (Taylor 46), Calverley (Childs 65), Lock (Baggs 65), Leader (Baker 65), King, Brook, Daniels, Owen (Parsons 46), Weedon (Coombs 65), Richardson, Rowe (Ayunga 65).