BRIDPORT 2 MERTHYR TOWN 3

BRIDPORT’S hopes of a long run in this season’s FA Cup came to an end at St Mary’s Field on Saturday.

Trevor Senior’s men put a brave fight against Merthyr Town in front of decent crowd of 146, but it was not quite enough as the Southern League Division One South & West outfit went on to grab a 3-2 win.

Kris Leek curled home the opener off the inside of a post before the Bees equalised on 28 minutes when Jamie Filkins nodded the ball back across the six-yard box for Sam Charles to head home.

Despite that reply though, Merthyr always looked the more dominant side and they deservedly regained their lead just before the break when Marcus Griffiths netted from close range following a corner.

Charles then hit back again with a far-post header in the second half before Griffiths struck what proved to be the winner with the aid of a deflection off the unfortunate Shane Evans.

Speaking after the preliminary round tie, Senior told Echosport: “We knew they were going to be decent but I thought my lads did themselves proud.

“They went ahead in the first couple of minutes and put us under a lot of pressure but as the half went on we began to grow in confidence and pulled one back with a well-worked goal.

“They then regained the lead just before the break but in the second half we played a lot better and equalised once again from a corner.

“Sam then went through and shot just wide before Shane Evans headed off target from another corner.

“Had we scored one of those, things may have turned out different but in the end they grabbed a third with the aid of a deflection.

“We also had a chance right at the death but Matt Condliffe could only send his first-time shot just past a post under pressure from their keeper.”

Commenting further, he went on to add: “They had a lot of possession and a lot of corners but Sam Filkins made two or three good saves and at times we defended really well.

“I was also pleased with our performance in the second half so overall I cannot be too disap-pointed particularly as we were up against such a decent side.”

Next up for the Bees is a trip to Willand Rovers in the Toolstation Western Premier Division on Wednesday night (7.45pm).

Bridport: S Filkins, J Filkins, C Clarke, Evans, Hill (Lock), Hayter, Legg (Morley 78), Wise (Condliffe 78), Charles, M Buckler, Watts. Sub not used: Staines, Luke.