BRIDPORT 2

CREDITON UNITED 3

BRIDPORT were unlucky to sustain a 3-2 defeat by Crediton United in an action-packed South West Peninsula League Premier East clash at St Mary’s Field.

Edgar Marcu’s Bees had three penalties given against them, played without a recognised goalkeeper for 75 minutes and still were in with a chance of winning until late on.

Bridport were up against it from the second minute when Mo Hereka was penalised for tripping Sam Stapleton in the box.

However, Callum Smalley came to Bridport’s rescue with a fabulous save low to his left from Adam Bilcock’s spot-kick.

READ MORE: Bridport 0-0 Honiton Town - match report

Bridport have adjusted their playing style this season under Marcu, playing out from the back being a major change.

But the tactic backfired in the 12th minute when Crediton caught them out, Shay Corrick the beneficiary to make it 1-0, with Smalley injured in the process.

Smalley went off with a knee problem and, with no goalkeeper on the bench, Bridport were forced to introduce Josh Grace on 15 minutes.

In sweltering conditions, Bridport’s defence continued to look shaky and Dan Baggs was then flagged for a foul in the box.

Crediton’s second penalty of the game, this time taken by Corrick, was remarkably saved by Grace, but there was nothing the substitute could do to prevent Kenny Ord making it 2-0 after pinball in the area.

Bridport continued to push and found a route back into the game when Josh Hunter scored Bridport’s first goal in their new division this season.

Hunter was on hand to neatly finish on 37 minutes after Hereka saw a shot across goal parried by United keeper Ethan Chalk.

Bridport made four substitutes at once early in the second half but Grace had to be alert to keep out Creddy with an excellent double save.

His efforts were rewarded when Owen Peart, fast becoming the signing of Bridport’s summer, beat Chalk from 25 yards for 2-2.

With time and energy levels running out, sub Jake Owen hit the bar with a header before disaster struck.

Bridport felt aggrieved when a third spot-kick was given against them and James Mudge, Crediton’s third different penalty-taker of the game, beat Grace in the 79th minute.

The Bees went down to nine men as Owen and Radu Bogdan were sin-binned for protests, but despite a brave defensive effort and push for an equaliser in the dying embers, Bridport could not rescue a point.

Speaking post-match, a club spokesperson said: “We just couldn’t get over the line for a draw. All in all, we’ve played well.

“We’re getting better and better defensively but it’s the final third we need to get better at.

“We’re starting to get a few more combinations in the centre of the pitch. We play out from the back when we need to and I think this team will grow as the season goes on.

“If you think about the two teams that have beaten us this season by one goal, they’re at the top end of the table.

“The difference between us is that they scored their chances and we didn’t.”

Bees: Smalley (Grace 15), White (Bogdan 52), Gall, Mamanta, Baggs (Oliveira 52), O Peart, Yang, Greenwood-Neate, Hunter (D Peart 52), Ayunga, Hereka (Owen 52).

Bridport travel to Elmore on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).