ILFRACOMBE TOWN 1
BRIDPORT 4
AFTER a frustrating month-long hiatus due to the relentless winter rain, Bridport finally returned to action on Saturday with a dominant 4-1 win away at Ilfracombe.
Traveling to north Devon as the league's second-placed team, the Bees were under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
Memories of the abandoned home fixture - where Ilfracombe led 1-0 before a serious injury halted play - were fresh in the mind. On that note, everyone at Bridport was delighted to hear that Riley Malin from Ilfracombe is making a steady recovery.
Despite the recent deluge, the pitch at Marlborough Park was in fantastic condition, a massive credit to the hard work of the local grounds team.
The hosts started with real intent, nearly breaking the deadlock in the opening minutes. Bridport had to organize quickly to weather the initial storm, but once the rust was shaken off, Chris Herbst’s side got down to business.
The breakthrough came via Solomon Ayunga in the 17th minute, who finished off a beautifully worked team move to make it 1-0 and set the tone for the afternoon.
Disaster struck almost immediately after the restart. A heavy tackle on Alec Thomas left the player unable to continue with a painful dead leg. It’s a long journey to the coast to be sidelined so early, but it paved the way for Owen Kemp to enter the fray. Kemp followed tactical instructions to the letter, growing into the game and giving the gaffer plenty to think about with a stellar performance.
Riley Weedon whipped in a pinpoint cross for Isaac House to head home in the 35th. House later remarked he knew it was in the moment it left Weedon's boot - pure telepathy between the front two.
The service didn't stop there. Harley Brook delivered a beauty from the opposite wing, finding House again five minutes later, who buried a sharp shot to make it three.
The Bees maintained their intensity after the break, though the physical nature of the game forced further changes. Darren Lock (ankle) and Isaac House (knock) were replaced by Matt Brown and Tony Pinder respectively. Pinder made an immediate impact, helping the Bees pin the hosts back deep into their own half.
The relentless work rate of the Bridport attack was rewarded yet again when Ayunga slotted home the fourth, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
To their credit, Ilfracombe never stopped fighting. During a spirited late rally, Stan Jenkins found the net for the hosts to pull one back in the 90th minute, a deserved consolation for his second-half efforts.
A 4-1 victory on the road is the perfect way to restart the season after a month without a game.. While the joint player of the match honors went to the strike duo of Isaac House and Solomon Ayunga, this was a complete squad performance.
The midfield and defence remained resolute throughout, and Jordon Scadding’s pinpoint distribution from goal kicks provided the perfect platform for the Bees to attack.
Next up for Bridport is a crucial game away at title rivals Bovey Tracey. Bridport go into the game two points ahead of their rivals but have played four more games.
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