CLEVEDON TOWN 2

Vowles 12, Ashmead 90+2

BRIDPORT 0

TEN-MAN Bridport were handed their third defeat in four Toolstation Western League Premier Division games with a 2-0 loss at Clevedon Town.

Goals from Lucas Vowles and Tyler Ashmead settled the game in the Seasiders’ favour, while Bees’ midfielder Braeden Symes was sent off on 68 minutes for two bookable offences.

Adam Fricker’s men now slip to 11th but have several games in hand over the teams directly around them.

Speaking to Echosport following the loss, Fricker admitted his side were beset by absent players, with a “mix-and-match” back four.

He said: “I’m not usually one to moan about having players missing, but we had six first-team regulars missing and pretty much our whole back four missing.

“Kameron Andrews was injured, Leigh Bailey was working and Lee Sweet had work commitments as well. It was a mix-and-match back four.

“Matt Condliffe played left-back and Dan Peach, who is not a right-back, played there. It does unsettle the balance of the team.”

Fricker added that Bridport’s injury crisis was worsened due to Oscar Latas and Alan Hill picking up respective hamstring and ankle injuries during the game.

Analysing the goals, Fricker was frustrated that Clevedon’s first goal came from a Bridport attack.

“They started from one of our best passages of play. Tom Richardson should have pulled the trigger but played a one-two with Mark Salter and it’s broken down.

“They’ve knocked a long ball over the top and their lad’s gone through and knocked it in.

“2-0 flattered them. Salts had a volley from eight yards out and the keeper has pulled off a cracking save. We’ve had a couple of other opportunities.

“Their second was just a break in midfield. They outnumbered us and played it across the box and their lad had a simple tap-in from eight yards,” he said.

Fricker was also sceptical of Symes’ red card, but did concede his first booking was fair.

He said: “He’s made two tackles all game and got booked twice. The first one was a booking and the second one was a sliding tackle. The ref couldn’t wait to get his card out.

“We had six players booked for first-time tackles.”

Despite the sending-off, Fricker insisted Bridport’s display in the second half was “excellent”.

He said: “There were a few harsh words, but second half they were excellent, and I told them that. They were lucky to catch us on a day when we were off our best.”

Bees: Hutchings, Peach, Hill, Martin, Condliffe, Symes, Richardson, Thomas (Vance 80), Latas (Cornish 22), Hebditch, Salter. Sub not used: Fricker