8:44am Monday 15th March 2010
By Alan Kidson
BRIDPORT 4 DEVIZES TOWN 0
SAM Charles netted a fine treble on his home debut as Bridport dazzled Devizes Town.
Devizes arrived at St Mary’s Field on the back of two successive away victories in Toolstation Western League Division One.
But their recent run was ended thanks to a man-of-the-match display from Charles and a single strike from Jamie Symes.
Bridport started brightly and saw makeshift forward Chris Clarke force a decent save from visiting keeper Daryl Simms.
Within a minute, Simms should have been given no chance but, after fine work by Matt Condliffe, Adam Symes mis-kicked when well placed.
Good attacking football from the home side kept the visitors on the back foot and another chance was missed when, after a corner, skipper Darren Lock was unable to get the ball under control.
Good work from Condliffe and Dan Wise then set up Jamie Symes but his shot sailed narrowly over.
The movement of the Bridport team was some of the best seen at St Mary’s Field this season and Simms was kept busy.
Devizes’ offside trap was also put to the test but it always looked suspect against the quick moving Bees.
And the home side got the lead they deserved after 20 minutes of pressure when a cross from Adam Symes was neatly lobbed over the keeper by Charles.
Six minutes later it was the smooth approach work by Bridport that allowed Wise to tee up Jamie Symes, who calmly beat Simms to double the score.
Devizes huffed and puffed but could do nothing against a tight-knit defence.
Bridport made it 3-0 just before half-time when excellent wing play by Clarke provided Charles with the opportunity to side-foot home.
There was still time for Devizes to test the home keeper but Jamie Fry was alert to tip the ball over for a fruitless corner.
Devizes were more positive as the second half got underway but saw both Rob Mitchell and Scott Butchard booked for wild tackles on Chris Senior and Jamie Symes.
Ten minutes into the second period and an accurate long ball by Ryan Hayter found Wise, whose cross was expertly tucked away by Charles to complete his hat-trick and put Bridport well clear.
Still the home side came forward and, in the best move of the game, Adam Symes and Carl Bulman ripped the visiting defence apart, only for the final shot to creep just outside of a post.
Another exciting move saw Darren Watts denied by Simms while Senior had the ball in the net, only to be penalised for a high foot.
Jamie Symes blasted over in the final action of a match that delighted Bees’ boss Trevor Senior.
He said: “I was pleased to see the boys play with a smile on their faces and produce fast and attractive football.
“The result and the performance bodes well for tomorrow’s Les Phillips Cup clash at home to Larkhall Athletic.”
Bees: Fry, A Symes, Condliffe (Jones), Lock, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Wise, Charles (C Bulman), Watts, C Clarke.
Attendance: 62.
Man of the Match, sponsored by A-Z Fine Wines: Sam Charles.
* Bridport Reserves booked their spot in the Dorset Senior Trophy final for the second year running with a 3-0 win at Holt United Reserves.
Full report in tomorrow’s Echo.
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