KEYNSHAM TOWN 2

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT suffered their third consecutive defeat when they tumbled out of the Les Philips Cup at the first attempt.

Despite holding a fairly ordinary Keynsham side in the first half the Bees succumbed to two well-taken second half goals at Crown Field.

Visiting boss Trevor Senior had no complaints after exiting the cup and agreed that the score was a fair reflection of the game.

He said: “Keynsham could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for some fine work by keeper Sam Filkins.

“As a unit going forward we didn’t create too much at all in the second half and once they had scored I couldn’t really see how we were going to get it back.”

Bridport kicked off without the expected appearance of Shane Evans, and Chris Clarke was drafted in as the main striker.

Apart from a long-range effort from Russell Legg, it was the home side that provided the first real test of the Bees’ defence, when both Jamie Symes and Matt Condliffe cleared the ball from the danger-zone within minutes of the start.

Although the play flowed from end to end the home team’s defence operated a well-rehearsed offside trap, while the Bridport back-line did not allow the hosts any time to settle.

The Bees were restricted to long-range efforts with both Darren Watts and Dan Wise missing the target.

Midway through the half, both sides had opportunities when, from a superb ball in from skipper Darren Lock, Clarke made the home keeper work hard to save his well-placed header.

While at the other end, Ryan Bernard was put through and managed to slice the ball wide of Filkins’ goal.

Legg broke clear just after the interval and set up Watts for a shot from the edge of the box but he was well wide with his effort.

Within minutes Filkins was forced into a fine save when Town’s leading scorer, Luke Lipinski, hammered in a shot.

A minute later the same player set the warning bells ringing when he fired narrowly over the bar.

At the other end, a trademark Wise free-kick had keeper Lionel Fear scrambling but the ball shaved the outside of a post.

Keynsham then enjoyed the ascendancy, although on one occasion Legg’s excellent cross was missed by both defenders and attackers.

Again it was Filkins, with a fingertip save, that foiled the home side as Bernards shot was pushed over the bar.

Lipinski homed in on the goal but again Filkins was equal to the task with yet another fine save.

However, with 15 minutes remaining Josh Dyer ran unchallenged to put the home side in front with a shot from the edge of the area.

Within five minutes Keynsham made the game safe when home substitute Jason Side hammered the ball home from a narrow angle after a scrambled clearance by the Bees’ defence.

Bees: Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe (Gale 67), Lock, Senior, Hayter (J Maidment 82), J Symes, Wise, Clarke, Watts, Legg (Peart 82)

Bookings: Hayter, Lock, Clarke.

Attendance: 31

* Bridport Reserves’ Dorset Premier League clash with Blandford United at St Mary’s Field was postponed on Saturday