BRIDPORT 1

Cornish 77

ILFRACOMBE TOWN 3

Roberts 15, Jenkins 50, Squire 90+3

BRIDPORT’S assault on the FA Vase was curbed at the second qualifying round as Ilfracombe Town claimed a 3-1 win at St Mary’s Field.

Jamie Manley’s team finished with nine men while the Bluebirds were also lucky not to escape punishment for a second-half incident.

Ravaged by injuries, Bridport knew their task would be a difficult one. However, the tariff increased dramatically when Matt Condliffe saw red for a late tackle in the eighth minute.

Town capitalised in the 15th minute with a fine solo run and finish from Chris Roberts, stemming from inside his own half.

Ilfracombe were dominating as Bridport dealt with a numerical disadvantage and saw Jack Jenkins fluff an effort inside the box.

Bridport finally grasped the initiative and saw Dec Cornish and Lewis Clarke miss chances before Town’s Kev Squire grazed the bar and Jordon Scadding saved from Will Berry.

Cornish went close after the resumption but it was Ilfracombe who extended their lead in the 50th minute when Squires found Jenkins to fire home.

Manley brought on Antony Carlile, Dom McAllister and Riley Weedon midway through the second half yet Cornish provided a route back into the tie with a fine curling strike for 2-1.

Bridport were incensed when Town’s Kane Dryden tugged Carlile’s shirt on the edge of the box, only earning yellow. Ilfracombe duly escaped greater punishment when the free-kick fizzled out.

With time ticking into the red, McAllister was dismissed for a similar tackle to Condliffe’s as Bridport went down to nine men.

And there was still time for Ilfracombe to rub salt into the wound, Squires beating Scadding in the 93rd minute to seal a place in the first round proper.

Speaking post-match, Bridport assistant-boss Kevin Leigh said: “They were the better side going forward, had a lot more about them.

“They had a good lad up top they knocked balls into, he held them up and had runners going either side of him. They were a decent side.

“The three subs came on and made a big difference, we got the ball down, into the corners and people going behind.”

On Cornish’s goal, Leigh added: “Dec cut inside and had two or three players trying to get the ball off him.

“He jinked through them – he’s got very good feet, Dec – and knocked the ball into the corner of the goal.”

Bridport visit Shepton Mallet in Toolstation Western League Premier Division action on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Bees: Scadding, Haines, King, Hastings, Owen, Condliffe, Leader (McAllister 66), Cornish, Wood (Weedon 66), Clarke, Sayers (Carlile 66).

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