BRIDPORT 2

Parsons 62, Ayunga 77

STOKE GABRIEL & TORBAY POLICE 0

BRIDPORT overcame a tenacious Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police side 2-0 at St Mary’s Field to regain momentum in the push for second place in the South West Peninsula League Premier East.

Bridport’s players had attended a meeting on Monday evening to iron out flaws from their chastening 5-0 loss to Okehampton on Saturday.

And, while this was far from a polished performance, the Bees did enough to see their nickname-sakes off with two goals in the second half.

READ MORE: Bridport 0-5 Okehampton Argyle - report

Bridport looked to be nursing a hangover from the Okey loss as veteran goalkeeper Jason Hutchings blocked Alfie Slough in the second minute, following a mistake by Ryan Leader.

Stoke, who hounded Bridport all game, continued to look the more dangerous as Saul Vanes lashed wide and Slough forced Hutchings into a low stop.

Bridport did finish the half strongly as Riley Weedon’s bobbling low free-kick proved a handful for Stoke keeper Jim Weeks and Fred Parsons’ booming 20-yard drive was deflected over the bar.

Parsons then headed an awkward chance at Weeks before half-time but the dye had been cast as Bridport went on to dominate the remainder of the match.

Kieren Daniels was unlucky to see his wicked free-kick take a nick off a visiting defender and flash just wide, before Leader thumped a 30-yarder just wide when Stoke failed to clear.

And Daniels delivered the first goal on a plate for Parsons in the 62nd minute, the ex-Lyme Regis midfielder tapping home his free-kick from all of two yards out.

Bridport switched off at the restart as Vanes raced through, only for the experience of Hutchings to close the angle and make the block.

That proved to be Bridport’s only alarm of the half and the hosts doubled their lead 13 minutes from time.

Weedon took advantage of a missed tackle to charge clean through and his offload to Sol Ayunga, a constant menace with his pace, allowed the striker to cut inside and fire into the bottom-right corner.

There was one final chance for either side as sub Brad Rowe sliced high and wide before Vanes caused trouble for Hutchings from a free-kick.

Chris Herbst’s men deserved the victory on balance and next visit Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Hutchings, Brook (A Diaz 83), G Calverley (T Diaz 83), King, Leader, Gall, Parsons, Daniels, Ayunga (N House 86), Weedon (Rowe 87), Maunsell (Jones 62).

Attendance: 145.