HALLEN 1

Charman 44

BRIDPORT 4

Salter, 22, 65, Hebditch 24, Latas 83

BRIDPORT recorded their first away win since mid-March with a resounding 4-1 victory at Hallen in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

The result moves Adam Fricker’s men into ninth with six games remaining, and was the second game in succession in which they had scored four times, following a 4-2 triumph over Chipping Sodbury on Wednesday.

Mark Salter opened the scoring to finish off a flowing Bees’ move. Oscar Latas picked up the ball in central midfield and played a first-time pass to Ed Butcher, whose instant cross was buried by Salter.

Salter played a major hand in the Bees’ second two minutes later, flicking a ball around the defence to set Richard Hebditch one-on-one, the forward then slotting home clinically to double Bridport’s lead.

But a moment of misfortune handed Hallen a lifeline.

Fricker said: “It came really from a long ball. Louis Rutter had just gone in for a tackle and he was hobbling from it.

“They played a long ball over the top and normally he would have got there but their lad did and chipped Jason Hutchings. It was a great finish.”

Bridport weathered a strong spell for Hallen after half-time as Salter struck a deflected third after good work from Butcher on the left.

And the Bees notched a fourth following another fine team move, with Leighton Thomas finding Salter, who controlled deftly before backheeling a pass to Latas, the midfielder then sliding the ball home into the corner.

Fricker said of the win: “We’ve just come off the back of four games in seven days and those two games we’ve scored eight goals. The fitness levels the lads are achieving are probably the most pleasing thing for us.”

Bees: Hutchings, Andrews, Rutter, McGrath, Martin, Peach, Thomas, Latas, Hebditch, Butcher (Cornish 72), Salter. Sub not used: Fricker