BRIDPORT 1

Hunter

WINCANTON TOWN 2

Garner (2)

BRIDPORT pushed Wincanton Town close but had to settle for a 2-1 pre-season friendly loss at St Mary’s Field.

Wincanton were beaten in the Western League Division One play-offs last season, while Bridport lost 34 of 36 league games to suffer relegation from the Premier Division.

Next season, the teams will both play at Step 6 level but the only difference between the sides was their finishing.

While Wincanton’s Matt Garner put the Wasps 1-0 up, finishing a one-on-one chance despite suspicions of offside, Bridport squandered numerous opportunities at the other end.

READ MORE: Bridport 1-2 Balti Sports - match report

The fixture was almost identical to the 2-0 loss to Middlezoy as Bridport created several opportunities, only for wayward shooting to hinder them.

Mike Calverley, Jake Owen, Sol Ayunga, Lewis Howe, Mo Hereka, Callum Arnold and Josh Grace all failed to score with chances either side of half-time.

Bridport were punished as Garner raced on to a long cross and finished well.

Josh Hunter pulled a goal back for the Bees from a corner and the hosts were infuriated when Mika Mamanta was seemingly tripped in the box, only for officials to wave play on.

In the end, Bridport could not find a late equaliser but boss Edgar Marcu was satisfied with the level of performance.

He said: “We lost, we missed some good chances but I’m very pleased with the football we played.

“It will click, it starts to click more and more. The last 25 minutes, Wincanton didn’t come out from their box.

“We played amazing football, we dominated Wincanton, so it’s really good.”

Bridport host Weymouth on Tuesday (7.30pm) with four divisions separating the sides.