MELKSHAM TOWN 2 BRIDPORT 3

IMPRESSIVE Bridport completed a quickfire double over Melk-sham Town to enhance their promotion aspirations.

Having disposed of the Wiltshire outfit by a single goal at St Mary’s Field just a fortnight ago, the Bees maintained the winning habit with their third triumph on the bounce.

Dan Wise broke the deadlock from the penalty spot early on before Sam Charles and Matt Condliffe enabled the visitors to carve out a 3-1 advantage.

Melksham, who had a man sent off for using foul language, reduced the deficit with 10 minutes to go but Bridport withstood an onslaught to record a priceless Toolstation Western League Division One victory.

Now the Bees are four points ahead of nearest pursuers Cadbury Heath and will definitely secure promotion if they win their final five games.

Assistant-boss Mike Savage, who assumed the managerial reins in the absence of Trevor Senior, attributed his side’s success at the Conigre to their “fast start”.

Savage said: “Before we kicked off we talked about how each game from now on will be our biggest of the season and that it’s important we keep winning. “We played very well in the first half and made a fast start, which was good because it’s something we hadn’t done for a long time.

“We got our rewards with two goals in the first half-hour and that really set us up. To be honest we were in control of the game until the last 10 minutes.

“Once Melksham scored their second we were hanging on. They kept pumping the ball forward and made it difficult for us but we held out.”

Commenting on the race for second spot, Savage added: “It’s ours to lose now but the old adage that you take one game at a time is true and is something we’ll remember.”

Bridport began with positive intent and were gifted the breakthrough when the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for handball.

Wise, from whose delivery the offence came, stepped up and confidently planted the ball to the goalkeeper’s left.

On the half-hour mark the visitors’ lead was doubled, with playmaker Wise again the source since it was his cross that eventually found the predatory Charles.

Melksham received a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when they won a corner and an unmarked striker nodded home from four yards.

However, the Bees restored their two-goal cushion thanks to an exquisite team move that culminated in Condliffe dinking the ball over the onrushing gloveman.

Victory looked assured but the home side replied with their second of the contest, although some suspect defending aided them.

A nerve-jangling climax ensued as Melksham launched an aerial assault, but a splendid save from Sam Filkins, coupled with crooked finishing, kept them at bay.

Bridport visit fourth-bottom Portishead Town tomorrow night (7.30pm) hoping to extend their advantage over their closest rivals.

Bees: Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe, Lock (Hill 66), Evans, Hayter, Peart (Dovell 60), Wise, C Clarke, Charles (Gale 65), Legg.

Attendance: 102