LEIGHTON Thomas ensured Bridport ended their frustrating pre-season on a high with a first half double, alongside a Tom Richardson header, to secure a 3-1 win away at Axminster.

Bridport, who were without Matt Condliffe, Andy Martin, Chris McGrath, Lee Sweet and Kameron Andrews due to injury, raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time, with a superb first half performance as Thomas, Mark Salter and Oscar Latas linked-up well.

After 15 minutes Latas put in some great work down the right-hand side and pulled the ball back to the waiting Thomas on the edge of the box, who fired into the bottom corner to extend the lead.

Five minutes later Richardson then rose well to score from a James Regan corner.

Thomas scored again when he fired in after a fumble from the Tigers’ goalkeeper to give the Bees a superb lead at half-time.

Bridport tired in the second half and after 80 minutes Axminster got down the left-hand side and Tony Cox fired past Jason Hutchings in the Bees’ goal.

Bridport manager Adam Fricker said: “It was pretty good to finish on a good win and a pretty decent performance for what has understandably been a frustrating pre-season from our perspective.”

Bridport next face a trip to Chipping Sodbury Town to start their season in the Toolstation Western Premier Division next Saturday (3pm).

Bridport: Hutchings, Regan, Rutter (Barfott), Richardson (King 65), Cox, Latas, Symes, Peach (Hebditch 65), Morris, Salter.