BRIDPORT 5 BISHOP SUTTON 1

BRIDPORT ended their long wait for a league win and goal on Saturday as they ran out comfortable winners against relegated Bishop Sutton.

The Bees went into the St Mary’s Field clash having not won in their previous nine Toolstation Western League Premier Division outings.

And on top of that, they had gone four matches without scoring after drawing blanks against Brislington, Melksham, Slimbridge and Bradford.

However, the hosts got that particular monkey off their back when Warren Byerley struck 19 minutes in to end the Bees’ goal drought.

And by the final whistle the players were finally able to celebrate a victory for the first time since January 10 against Sherborne.

“It was a much-needed win,” said Bridport boss Trevor Senior. “We were well on top in terms of possession and we created a lot of chances.

“We could have scored more but the pleasing thing was that we took five of our opportunities.

“The only disappointment was that we let them have a free header for their goal.

“But it was good to see at the end of the game that there were a few smiles on our lads’ faces.”

He added: “When we were on that bad run I found myself getting repetitive saying the same things to the players.

“But when we came in at half-time 3-0 up I had to think about what to say, we hadn’t been in that position for a while.”

Tom Richardson set up Byerley for the opening goal before the former got on the scoresheet himself with a header from a Dan Wise corner.

And the three points were all but wrapped up when Matt Condliffe’s cross to the far post was headed in by Chris Clarke.

Bishop Sutton had been limited to rare forays forward in the first period but Szymon Gromek cut the deficit to two three minutes into the second half.

However, Bridport went straight up the other end and Matt Morley made it 4-1.

An overhead kick by Byerley then struck the visitors’ crossbar and the woodwork was rattled again 15 minutes later, this time by a Bishop Sutton defender’s wayward clearance.

The Bees did make it 5-1 12 minutes from time as Chris Senior’s effort was deflected into his own goal by George Thorne.

Bees: Weeks, Condliffe (J Symes 61), Clarke, Evans (Senior 61), Stewart, Hayter (Filkins 61), A Symes, Wise, Richardson, Byerley, Morley. Sub not used: Hill.

Man of the match: Sean Stewart

Attendance: 121