BRIDPORT 5
ILFRACOMBE 2
IN a rerun of a game abandoned in November, Bridport and visitors Ilfracombe served up a seven goal feast, although the blustery north westerly wind threatened to be the real winner.
Bridport took the lead in the second minute when Sam Fisher converted a throw in to score from point blank range.
The weather was making any coherent moves difficult and Bridport were lucky not to concede an equaliser in the 27th minute when an attempt from Ollie Stevens was diverted goal-wards where an off balance home keeper Jordon Scadding managed to reach down with one hand to push the ball away, while his other hand was barely holding him off of the ground.
Harley Brook netted from close range in the 33rd minute to double The Bees lead, which in part had been aided by the now 20 mph gusting wind.
Two down at the break, Ilfracombe came out determined to use the following wind to their advantage, launching three attacks in as many second half opening minutes. However, despite their best efforts, Bridport were three to the good in the 53rd minute when a free kick by Kieran Daniels was headed home by Callum Arnold.
Aidan Barrow pulled one back for the Town from the edge of the box for 3-1 in the 75th minute, but shortly afterward, substitute Lewis Balkwall was unable to make the final touch for Bridport on the goal line.
In a moment that demonstrates that, at least at our level, the health and safety of the competitors is paramount, Riley Malin, the subject of the injury that forced the abandonment of the original game in November, appeared as a substitute with seven minutes left to play.
Sadly for him there was to be no fairytale finale to his story as Arnold scored from close range in the 84th minute for 4-1 as both teams battled in what was now a Force 6 wind battering St Marys Field.
Five minutes later Bees keeper Scadding was forced to punch away a wind assisted free kick from the half way line.
To further illustrate the mayhem that the elements were throwing at players and spectators alike, in the 92nd minute The Bluebirds Reuben Jones scored directly from a corner kick to move the score to 4-2 in The Bees favour. Three minutes later a through ball found Balkwill who scored to create complete a 5-2 scoreline.
Bridport host Cullompton Rangers on Tuesday evening. Kick off at St Mary's is 7.45pm.
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