BRIDPORT 1

HELSTON ATHLETIC 7

BRIDPORT suffered a 7-1 loss to much-fancied Helston Athletic in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division opener at St Mary’s Field.

Helston, who played their first Western League game since moving from the South West Peninsula League, were level pegging with the Bees in the first 20 minutes.

Mattie Buchan opened the scoring for the Cornishmen, sliding a finish under 16-year-old keeper Will Butler.

But Bridport, who have four players out either with Covid-19 or through self-isolation, equalised with arguably the goal of the game as a Riley Weedon thunderbolt beat new Helston signing Marco Radovanovic from 30 yards.

However, Helston seized the initiative with three goals in 11 minutes as Buchan netted his second after Phil Cattron and Kai Cornish goals.

Trailing 4-1 at the break, Bridport were 5-1 down after 48 minutes as Buchan completed his hat-trick, beating three defenders before applying the finishing touch past Butler.

Cornish added his second in the 73rd minute before Bridport staged a rare attack through substitute Christian Blango, whose path to goal was ended amid claims of handball.

And seconds later Helston made it a magnificent seven when Stuart Bowker scored seven minutes from time.

There was still room for Bridport to end positively, Weedon forcing Radovanovic into a flying stop.

However, this was a chastening defeat for the Bees, who on this evidence have plenty of work to do with a young squad pieced together on a tight budget.

Post-match, Bridport boss Rob Marquis said: “It sounds like a likely story but the first 20 minutes we were very good.

“We did very well, they went out for the first 20 minutes and did everything I asked them to do.

“Helston worked us out, changed their pattern of play.

“Riley hit a worldie from 30 yards and we were one each but we struggle when we concede and it was 4-1 at half-time.

“They’re a far more experienced side on a salary probably four times the size of (my side's).

“Were they better than us? Yes, they were.

“But they had seven decent strikes and scored all seven.”

Bees: Butler, Adler (Baker 65), Greenwood-Neate, Owen, Baggs, Gall, Hansford, Hill (Burwood 85), Carlile, Weedon, McNamara (Blango 77). Subs not used: Walker