BRIDPORT 0

BRIDGWATER TOWN 6

O’Hare 12, 33, 34, Duffy 27, Tower 82, 85

BRIDPORT were outclassed 6-0 by Bridgwater Town in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at St Mary’s Field on Ground-hop Day.

Looking to follow on from their impressive 4-0 win over Chipping Sodbury, Bridport made a solid start and saw Callum Thompson clip a 25-yard shot at goal with the outside of his foot.

However, warning signs were fired at a porous Bridport defence in the ninth minute when Tom Richardson failed to cut out a low ball, forcing a smart block from Scott Wells-Burr to deny Steve Murray in a one-on-one.

Three minutes later, Town went 1-0 up as a simple ball over the top found Murray, whose perfect cross was headed home at the near post by a stooping Dave O’Hare.

Bridport rallied after the goal, Lewis Clarke firing wide from 20 yards, but on 27 minutes, the floodgates opened in a disastrous seven-minute spell.

Murray won a header to release Mike Duffy whose sumptuous chip from 25 yards found the net.

O’Hare then scored twice in a minute, the midfielder storming through the middle and finishing before rising highest to head home unmarked from a corner.

Bridgwater were denied a fifth for offside after the break when Murray headed home a free-kick, but the Bees grew into the half thereafter.

A lovely move ended with Clarke touching Max Westlake’s cross wide before substitute Joe Charles’ excellent cross saw Clarke nod wide from 12 yards.

Bridport’s best chance came when Harry Morton gifted substitute Stephen Friend possession but the midfielder dragged wide from 20 yards when staring at an open goal.

There was still time for Sam Tower to net a late brace, cutting inside and scoring for 5-0 after his initial shot was blocked, before tapping home when Wells-Burr parried Brown’s powerful effort into his path.

Bridport boss Jamie Manley said: “We’re not stupid. We know Bridgwater are a good side, but that’s not saying we didn’t think we could get something out of the game.

“I thought we started okay but when they got their first it took the stuffing out of us.

“We lost our shape, they got at us and another two quickfire goals killed it for us.

“Second half we were a lot better and created some chances ourselves – we just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”

Bees: Wells-Burr, Coombs, Dovell, Beals (Leader 55), Richardson, Warren, Westlake, Thompson, Clarke, White (Friend 66), Cornish (Charles 66). Subs not used: Phillips, Jo Scadding

Referee: Craig Scriven

Attendance: 347

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