IVYBRIDGE TOWN 2

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT suffered a 2-0 defeat at unbeaten leaders Ivybridge Town in their top-of-the-table meeting in the South West Peninsula League Premier East.

Both teams were playing their first match for a month, due to postponements and poor weather, and understandably lacked sharpness despite regular training in the lay-off.

Ivybridge came into the game with an eight-point lead and boasted the league’s highest tally of goals and fewest conceded.

The Ivies duly took the lead in the 36th minute through Jack Alexander’s well-directed header into the corner.

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Bridport were kept at bay before half-time as home keeper Kane Gregory clawed out Luke King’s goalbound header, while Riley Weedon fired over.

Ivybridge again showed the greater clinical edge in the second half as Josh Zimmerman’s dipping header beat Jordon Scadding in the Bees’ goal for 2-0.

However, more heroics were needed from Gregory as he somehow tipped clear Sol Ayunga’s 25-yard drive.

Bridport won several corners late on but Ivybridge’s stout defence stamped out the danger as the leaders lived up to their billing, taking all three points.

Bees’ assistant Mark Lock said: “We were a little bit rusty in some places but I thought we played really well, considering.

“We just didn’t take our chances at the right time. They’re a good side, don’t get me wrong, and they’re unbeaten.

“But we’re not afraid of them because they can be beaten.”

Bridport host Verwood Town in the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Bees: Jo Scadding, Brook (Diaz 71), King, Leader, Gall, Calverley (Coombs 76), Daniels, Gape, Weedon, Ayunga, Richardson (Rowe 66). Subs not used: Baggs, Wyrill.