BRIDPORT 1

HONITON TOWN 1

BRIDPORT’S pre-season preparations continued with a 1-1 draw against Honiton Town at St Mary’s Field.

In an entertaining encounter, Bridport were lucky not to fall behind as Honiton blasted over following a defensive mishap.

Bridport worked their way back into the game before their first opening of note came when Dec Cornish and new forward Paulo Borges combined to earn a corner, which was wasted.

Former Wellington and Cribbs striker Borges proved a real handful for Honiton, who committed several fouls on him before the returning Luke King headed over prior to half-time.

Five minutes after the teams emerged for the second half, Bridport were ahead when a clear push in the area was penalised.

Cornish stepped up and slotted the spot-kick away, just reward after his goal in the previous friendly with Bishops Lydeard was ruled out.

However, Honiton were behind for just 12 minutes as Lewis Couch finished a pinpoint cross from close range after a speedy counter-attack.

Bridport were handed a reprieve in the last moments of the game when captain Scott Wells-Burr was unable to save a rasping drive, the ball clattering the post and bouncing away to safety.

Post-match, Bridport boss Jamie Manley said: “It was a good game, actually.

“It was obviously a lot cooler than Saturday, which helped out a little bit.

“The things for us at the moment is that we’ve got a few new players coming in. It’s going to take time to gel.

“At times we look a little bit disjointed but other times we look quite good. On balance I’m quite happy.

“It was nice to get a goal, with Dec tucking the penalty away. We changed the side at half-time to have a look at as many of the lads as possible.

“We’re getting there with the squad and definitely going in the right direction.”

He added: “We’ll get another couple of training sessions in and we’ve got a game on Wednesday (August 22).

“We may train Monday. I know a few are carrying knocks so we’ll assess them as we go along.

“As a management, we’re happy with the lads that have come in. It’s just getting confidence through to the lads and getting a settled side and looking to play some nice football.

“It’s all about the lads getting to know each other, then things should come naturally to them.”

Bridport host Hythe & Dibden in their next friendly.

Bees: Bridport: Wells-Burr, King, Holmes, Hastings, Haines, Gape, D Lock (Owen 11), Westlake, Warren, Borges, Cornish.

Rolling subs: Butcher, Wood, McAllister, Elkahla, Evans, Leader

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