BRIDPORT 3 STREET 3

BRIDPORT squandered a three-goal lead in a Boxing Day classic at the Cobblers.

Jamie Filkins, Dan Wise and Tom Richardson all found the target to put the Bees 3-0 up, only for fourth-placed Street to mount a superb comeback in the second half.

Bridport boss Trevor Senior said: “We played really well in the first half.

“Dan Wise had a chance in the first minute but decided to square the ball rather than shoot before Jamie Filkins headed us in front not long after.

“We then kept up the pressure with a couple more chances, which eventually led to Ryan Dovell being brought down in the box, allowing Dan to make it 2-0 from the spot.

“Apart from one easy save from a shot from Mark Salter, Sam Filkins was rarely troubled before the break and going into the second half we knew a third would probably see them off.

“It arrived when Tom Richard-son reacted quickest to a mistake from their keeper and at that stage we looked in complete control.

“However, we then lost possession down the left, which allowed Street to break on us.

“Dan came across and made a great tackle but the ball fell kindly to one of their lads, who tucked it away to make it 3-1.

“After that, Mark Salter went on to grab another one back after we got caught trying to see the ball out of play, and then they equalised with a good finish from the edge of the box.

“Sam then had to make one more good save from a free-kick before we nearly nicked it at the death, only for Ryan’s header to go straight at their keeper.

“Street are a good side and we would have probably settled for a point before the game. However, to go three up and be pegged back like that was disappointing.”

The Bees are scheduled to return to action tomorrow against Gillingham Town at St Mary’s Field (3pm) but Senior reckons the game may not go ahead.

He added: “There is a lot of water on the pitch and, with the forecast predicting more rain, it is doesn’t look good. It’s certainly looking doubtful.”

Bridport sit 10th in the Toolstation Western Premier Division but have played more games than the majority of the teams around them.

Bees: S Filkins, C Senior (Stewart 65), Condliffe, Evans (Staines 75), J Filkins, Hayter, G Bulman, Wise, Richardson, Dovell, Morley. Sub not used: C Clarke.