BRIDPORT 0

WELLINGTON 0

BRIDPORT were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at St Mary’s Field to Wellington in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

The Bees had several chances that went close to breaking the deadlock but could not find a way through to begin their FA Cup charge.

Louis Rutter felt a niggle in his knee so Bridport boss Adam Fricker opted to make a late change prior to the match, with Andy Martin starting instead.

The Bees started well and saw numerous chances in the first half but none of which could find the back of the net.

Lee Sweet had an opportunity after 25 minutes when Richard Hebditch went through on goal, was brought down before the ball rolled to Sweet who did not quite catch it right and saw his shot, and subsequent effort from the rebound, saved.

Hebditch soon after then had the ball fall to him on the edge of the box but took a touch too many and the Wellington goalkeeper saved quite comfortably.

Leighton Thomas then put a great ball across the box but could not find anyone to get on the end of it just before half-time.

Bridport came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, but Wellington always looked dangerous on the break which was proved when Josh Wadham forced Bridport goalkeeper James Smith into an early save.

Other than that, Smith in the Bees’ goal was relatively untroubled.

There was nearly a breakthrough when Sweet had fantastic strike from 25-yards out that appeared to be heading for the top corner but the Wellington goalkeeper pulled off an equally great save to keep the sides level.

With the last kick of the game Thomas spun and shot straight at the goalkeeper who punched the ball away.

The breakthrough could not be found and Bridport will now face a replay at Edendale Park, the home of Cullompton Rangers, on Wednesday night.

When asked if the draw was one of the last things he had wanted, given it means a replay on Wednesday, Fricker said: “Yes and no, don’t get me wrong we have not got a lot of midweek matches coming up so it is not ideal in the fact we have got a couple of players missing on Wednesday night.

“It is going to be a little bit frustrating but we are still confident that we have got enough to go down there and do a job.

“I think we probably had the better of the match.

“I think their goalkeeper had to pull off a couple of great saves while ours did not have masses to do but likewise it was fairly even to be fair.

“It was a bit of a frustrating afternoon from our perspective but it is what it is.”

Bridport: Smith, Andrews, Sweet, Symes, Martin, McGrath, Peach, Richardson (Wood 66), Thomas, Hebditch, Latas. Subs not used: Rutter, Weedon.