SIDMOUTH TOWN 1

BRIDPORT 3

BRIDPORT made it a hat-trick of wins in the South West Peninsula League Premier East with a 3-1 win at derby rivals Sidmouth Town, who ended with ten men.

The Bees are now second in the table, behind Ivybridge Town on goal difference with the Ivies having also won all three matches to date.

Bridport led 2-1 at half-time despite not hitting top gear, James Cox missing a golden early chance having been put through on goal.

Neither side found fluency until the final ten minutes of the half when a flurry of three goals lit up the match.

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Bridport were first to score as the Bees worked a good move down the right wing and crossed to the back post where Cox ran on and struck a superb effort home for 1-0.

Sidmouth equalised on 43 minutes as Bridport switched off when defending a Liam Carey corner, Chim Chinnah heading in from all of two yards out.

However, Bridport quickly restored their lead before the break as Fred Parsons popped a ball over the top and the pace of Brad Rowe allowed him to latch onto it and finish well for 2-1.

Bridport added a third soon after half-time to give themselves a two-goal cushion, Kieren Daniels with a deft header.

Sidmouth’s bid to get back into the game was dealt a blow when Connor Swingler was sent off on 81 minutes.

Tom Richardson put wide a good chance for 4-1 and Sol Ayunga came within inches of connecting with a low Cox cross but Bridport saw out the match to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Speaking to the Bridport News, boss Chris Herbst said: “Three wins on the bounce, it’s going well.

“I knew it was going to be a tough one, they’re a good outfit, well oiled, but we were good.

“The first half we were shocking really but when we got the goal we settled down.”

Bridport host Teignmouth on Saturday looking for a fourth consecutive win.

Bees: Jo Scadding, Leader, Baggs, King, Brook (Diaz 85), Daniels, Weedon (Owen 85), Parsons (D Lock 69), Cox, Richardson (Ayunga 69), Rowe (Calverley 59).

Attendance: 97