STREET 7

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT were thrashed 7-0 by Street on their return following a three-week break from Toolstation Western League Premier Division action.

Three of the goals were scored by former Bees full-back and current Dorchester Under-23s star Josh Phillips, who netted his hat-trick entirely in the second half.

Bridport handed debuts to Josh Grace, Michael Calverley, Marian Bosnea and Joe Batten-Coe during the 90 minutes.

However, despite the new signings it was a familiar tale for Bees fans as the visitors went 2-0 down early on, Kyle Strange netting a double – his second coming from a Phillips assist.

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Bridport struggled to make an impression as the half wore on and Street added a third before half-time when Fin Skiverton found Toby Davey to slot past Josh Lucas in the Bridport goal.

Four minutes after the interval, Phillips nodded beyond Lucas for 4-0 which prompted a double change from the Bees in response.

Calverley earned a debut against his former club and Bosnea was also given his maiden appearance.

The two would nearly combine for a consolation goal as Calverley used his strength to hold off the defence and force a low parry from Cobblers’ custodian Liam Norris.

Bosnea ran on to the loose ball but slammed his effort against the post and away as Street’s clean sheet somehow remained intact.

The missed chance was to be Bridport’s only opening of note as Phillips notched his brace for 5-0 on the hour, Calverley then leaving the pitch injured as Bridport finished with 10 men.

Gabriel Plant made it 6-0 but Phillips was the undoubted star of the show, bagging his treble 12 minutes from time to ensure his side moved five points adrift of relegation trouble.

Speaking after watching bottom side Bridport concede seven goals in a game for the ninth time this season, caretaker boss Shaun Annetts admitted his side never got going.

“We didn’t really turn up,” he said. “I can understand that to a degree. When you’re in the position we’re in, there’s an element of: ‘What’s the point?’ attitude.

“It was clear Street knew the importance of the game, knew they needed three big points.

“They were much, much better than us. As a team, we didn’t show up. There were only a few people who could hold their hand up and say they performed well.

“There was a lot of under-par performances, which is disappointing. Missing a couple of weeks, it can have an effect. Sometimes it’s nice to have a rest.

“But other times it’s good to keep going and keep that playing mentality going, so it probably harmed us more than it did us good.

“I have that feeling of disappointment and a little bit of deflation, but it’s one more game ticked off, if you like.”

He added: “It was good to give four different players debuts, that was one positive but one of the only things we could be smiling about.”

Bees: Lucas, Grace, Greenwood-Neate, Owen (Batten-Coe 46), Vasile (Bosnea 55), A Steele, Burwood, Osei-Kumi (M Calverley 55), Hill, Boulton, Arnold.