BRIDPORT 2

Andrews 49, 75

BITTON 4

Griffiths 21, 50, B Bament 76, 86 pen

BRIDPORT tasted defeat for the fourth successive game as a clinical Bitton took a 4-2 victory from St Mary’s Field in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash.

For long periods of the game, Bridport were on top but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal that was so ruthlessly provided by the River Boys who moved into fourth, seven places above the Bees, with the win.

The Bees’ misfortune began when veteran striker and former Bitton man Mark Salter missed a penalty, from which Bitton surged upfield and scored via a precise Dean Griffiths finish.

Undeterred, Bridport continued to play some attractive football but were dealt a big blow just before half-time when dangerous winger Leighton Thomas suffered a recurrence of a recent hamstring injury and was replaced by Ben Morris.

Bridport’s spirit lived on into the second half and Kameron Andrews levelled from six yards after good work on the right from Dan Peach and Sam Clark.

Within a minute, Bitton hit Bridport on the counter when Griffiths outmuscled Luke King before beating Jason Hutchings.

Showing great character, Bridport created several more chances as Andrews saw a fierce effort saved by the Ton keeper and Morris headed wide from six yards.

The Bees were finally rewarded when an Andy Martin corner caused havoc in the Bitton box before Andrews fired home a deflected effort for 2-2.

For the second time, Bitton went ahead again inside of 60 seconds when a skewed cross deceived the Bridport defence, allowing Ben Bament to send a looping header over Hutchings.

Bitton sealed the win when a rash tackle in the area from Martin allowed Bament to tuck a penalty home for a flattering 4-2 scoreline.

Speaking to Echosport after the victory, boss Adam Fricker rued his side’s missed chances.

He said: “Anyone who was at the game could see how well we played, some of the stuff was superb. They literally had four chances and scored four goals.

“It’s frustrating because we couldn’t quite get ourselves in front.

“You can’t keep saying ‘we’ve played well’. At the end of the day we’ve got nothing out of it.”

He added: “That’s the biggest difference between us and the top sides that are pushing for the title, because they’re just clinical.

“(Bitton) took their chances really well and punished us as soon as we got ourselves back into the game.”

Bees: Hutchings, Regan, Martin, Symes, King, McGrath, Thomas (Morris 44), Peach, Salter, Andrews, Clark (Cox 85). Subs not used: Condliffe, Wood

Attendance: 102

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