OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE 1

BRIDPORT 2

BRIDPORT came from behind to record a ninth win from 11 league games, beating Okehampton Argyle 2-1 at Simmons Park.

Chris Herbst’s men had to do it the way hard way with injuries and going a goal behind in the first half, but again displayed their increased resilience to book all three points.

It means they keep pace with leaders Ivybridge Town at the top of the South West Peninsula League standings, although a below-par performance threatened to disrupt the Bees’ progress.

They fell behind in the 19th minute when Jake Rowe somehow beat the offside trap, despite bemusement from both sides, to beat Bees’ keeper Jordon Scadding.

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Bridport struggled to cope with Argyle’s tactic of working the ball into wide areas and subsequently the visitors had little to shout about themselves as their deliveries into the box evaded teammates.

However, a big stroke of luck came Bridport’s way in the 42nd minute when the Bees won a corner. Kieren Daniels’ cross deceived home keeper Jimmy Weeks and looped directly into the net for 1-1.

Bridport were then forced to bring off Ryan Gall for Ryan Leader due to injury but the Bees remained level into the break.

Scadding had more saves to make in the second half as Okehampton went for a second but Bridport themselves nearly made it 2-1 when Tom Richardson hit the post with a header.

Riley Weedon placed a low cross just out of reach of Brad Rowe, while Argyle were restricted to two half-chances.

The Bees handed a debut to winger Brayden Jones and Bridport got what turned out to be the winner when a tame backpass put Weeks in trouble and 16-year-old super sub Kieran Coombs collected the rebound from a block tackle before rolling home for 2-1.

Bridport’s work was not done though as Argyle threw everything at them at the death, Scadding making a stupendous fingertip save to nudge clear what looked a certain goal.

In the end, Bridport survived to take all three point but Herbst voiced his discontent with the Bees’ performance.

He said: “It was lucky but you take it. Through the game I was very annoyed. We just didn’t play well.

“I think it’s chopping and changing the side where we don’t have a choice. We’ve got a few injuries and it’s all taken its toll.

“It was a hot day and we were having to make subs, it all went wrong. We dug deep and got the win.

“Okehampton were good and deserved the points, I’m not joking. We were so bad.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, Gall (Leader 43), Wright, Lock, Childs (Owen 80), Burwood, Parsons (Jones 70), Daniels, Weedon, Richardson, Rowe (Coombs 70).