BRIDPORT 2

ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED 1

BRILLIANT Bridport secured their first win of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ashton & Backwell United at St Mary’s Field.

Rob Marquis and his young team have endured a difficult start to the campaign, with seven losses in seven games.

But in managerless Ashton & Backwell they faced a side also winless in four games, the Bees rising to the occasion with a win in their sights.

Riley Greenwood-Neate and Dom McAllister forced the Stags’ keeper into good saves in the first half, while Sam Price missed an open goal from eight yards out for the visitors.

After the break, the Bees were in dreamland when Greenwood-Neate’s powerful drive proved too hot for Stags’ keeper Lewis Coombes to handle, his shot flying in off via glove and bar.

His 30-yard effort was trumped by a spectacular strike on 65 minutes from Conor Hartley, who equalised from 35 yards out.

READ MORE: Bridport 0-2 Bridgwater United - match report

Bridport were back ahead in controversial circumstances 14 minutes from time as a push in the box was deemed penalty worthy.

Centre-back Dan Baggs then stepped up to score with a fierce strike, blasting the ball home into the central portion of the net.

Ashton & Backwell threw everything at Bridport in the closing stages, Coombes going up for a succession of set-pieces.

Baggs headed off the line, new signing Greg Taylor made an instinctive save and the Bees survived a penalty shout before closing out a memorable win.

Speaking post-match, Marquis was overjoyed at securing his first victory as boss and one which lifts Bridport off the foot of the table to 18th.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. It was a hard-fought game and in fairness to Ashton they weren’t a bad side.

“It wasn’t a walkover, they gave us a game. I’m delighted, a good performance from the lads all round.

“Riley scored a very good goal, it was a good strike. I’m just pleased all round.

“Dan got the penalty and I was praying he put that in! I was mildly nervous, because seasons turn on things like that. I’m very proud of all the lads.”

Bridport travel to fifth-placed Keynsham in league action tomorrow (Monday 3pm).

Marquis added: “They’ve got a 4G pitch which I understand they play very well on.

“It’s going to be a tough game and we’ve got a few missing so we’ve got some selection worries.

“No fear, we’ve got nothing to lose. I just hope we can take (Saturday) as a platform to build on.

“I said it would take six to eight games for us to really get a hold. We’ve got players in, young players, it takes a while to know each other and find a pattern of play.

“We’re definitely improving but I’m not getting carried away. We’ve got to keep doing the right things.

“We’ve got 28 games left and if we can win one in three we’ll probably stay up.”

Bees: Taylor, Carlile, A Steele, Lock, Baggs, Owen, Hansford, McAllister, Boulton (Osei-Kumi 78), Greenwood-Neate, McNamara (Hill 74).