BRIDPORT 6

WELLS CITY 1

BRIDPORT had no trouble in dismissing bottom club Wells City with an emphatic 6-1 victory at St Mary’s Field in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

Braces from Oscar Latas, Leighton Thomas and Mark Salter gave the Bees a handsome margin of victory, with boss Adam Fricker’s side undeterred by the concession of a 47th-minute penalty.

Bridport started brightly and Latas, who has been in excellent recent form, scored two identical goals from long-range.

Both began on the left and the midfielder cut inside and drove home powerfully from 25 yards to twice beat the away keeper.

But Bridport were tested after the restart, a hobbling Louis Rutter conceding a spot-kick and affording Wells the perfect start to the second half.

However, just three minutes later, Thomas scored a trademark flicked header at the near post from a whipped Andy Martin corner.

Salter then got in on the action before the hour mark, positioning himself perfectly to knock home a cross into the box.

Salter’s second, and the Bees fifth was slightly fortuitous, the striker attempting to cross to Richard Hebditch, but his miscued shot looped in over the goalkeeper.

Thomas secured his brace in fortunate circumstances too, after Latas’ shot struck him, enabling the winger to tuck home on 75 minutes to finish the scoring.

Speaking to Echosport after the comprehensive win, Fricker was delighted by his side’s quick start to the encounter and the response to Wells’ solitary goal.

He said: “That’s what’s important against the teams lower down in the league. You need to start brightly and not give them any hope of a foothold in the game, which is what we did and was really pleasing.

“They tucked the penalty away but it didn’t affect us one bit. We just carried on about our business and put the game to bed pretty soon after.”

Fricker also praised the diligent Latas, who has fastened down his position in the side.

He said: “Oscar works extremely hard for the team and over the last few weeks he’s really cemented his place in the team.”

Bridport face Shepton Mallet in the Les Phillips Cup quarter-finals on Saturday (3pm), with just Kameron Andrews and Rutter (both ankle) doubtful, while Ed Butcher and Alan Hill return.

Bees: Hutchings, Bailey, Rutter (Condliffe 50), McGrath, Sweet, Symes, Martin (Peach 65), Thomas, Hebditch, Latas, Salter (Richardson 70). Subs not used: Smith, Andrews

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