Symes on mark but Buckland deny Bees (From Dorset Echo)

Symes on mark but Buckland deny Bees

5:35pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

BRIDPORT 1 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 1

ON-LOAN Jamie Symes scored for the first time in his second spell at Bridport but the hosts had to be content with a point at St Mary’s Field.

The midfielder struck moments after the half-time interval, lashing home from 12 yards after some unselfish play from Ben Clarke, only for Gavin Hammon to equalise 14 minutes from the end.

And while Bees boss Trevor Senior was happy with his side’s performance and the point they gained, he was a little disappointed that on the balance of play they didn’t take all three from the Toolstation Western Premier Division encounter.

There had been two good pieces of news for the Bees before the kick-off. The first was that the pitch, thanks to the efforts of the ground staff, club committee and a number of volunteers, had survived the rain earlier in the week.

And secondly, it had been confirmed that Symes’ loan deal from Dorchester Town had been extended for another month until March 16.

The playing surface wasn’t perfect but Bridport coped with the heavy pitch amicably and enjoyed a number of chances throughout the first half.

A Symes shot from the edge of the area was saved, Matt Condliffe cut in from the right-hand side before firing just past a post with his left foot and Michael Hailu tested the Buckland keeper before a Symes cross just eluded Ryan Dovell.

At the other end, Sam Filkins didn’t have too much to do as the visitors were reduced to long-range efforts.

Aside from not scoring, the only other downside to the Bees’ first half was the recurrence of a hamstring injury for Shane Evans and he was replaced by Adam Stordy.

Bridport’s dominance continued in the second period with Symes making an almost immediate impact.

Chris Luke won possession in midfield, slid the ball through to Clarke and he set-up Symes to sweep home off the inside of a post for a 1-0 lead.

Things were looking comfortable for the Bees as the half wore on, man of the match Chris Clarke going close with a header, but they were caught by a sucker- punch on 76 minutes.

A quick throw-in was played forward and Condliffe got his head to the long ball but couldn’t get enough on it to prevent it going through to Hammon who fired past Filkins.

And had it not been for a couple of last-ditch clearances from Luke and skipper Ryan Hayter then Buckland might have snatched the win themselves.

“It was a very good performance and we were probably a little bit unlucky not to get all three points,” said Senior.

“The ground staff, the committee and a number of volunteers put in a lot of hard work to get the game on otherwise it wouldn’t have gone ahead.

“Although the pitch was heavy I thought we covered the ground well and knocked the ball around nicely and created a number of chances.

“It was good to see Jamie Symes score after hitting the woodwork three times in the last two games and it’s great that we have secured him for another month.”

Bees: S Filkins, Condliffe, Hailu, Evans (Stordy 37), C Clarke, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Dovell, Symes, B Clarke. Subs not used: Legg, M Buckler Match sponsor: Matthew Gale (Building Contractor, Bridport)