HENGROVE ATHLETIC 2

Fillingham 20, 40

BRIDPORT 4

Thomas 25, 50, Clarke 62, Morris 71

BRIDPORT twice came from a goal down to produce a second-half cruise to a 4-2 win at Hengrove Athletic in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

Thomas twice equalised for the Bees, before goals from Sam Clark and Ben Morris sealed the three points.

It was the home side that opened the scoring after 20 minutes however, when Athletic earned a free-kick which led to a corner.

The set-piece was swung in and Jack Fillingham managed to nod in at the back post.

It did not take the Bees long to respond and get back on level terms.

Just five minutes later, Kameron Andrews played a ball out wide to Lee Sweet who pushed on down the left and swung a cross in for Thomas who placed the ball back across and inside the far post to draw the score level.

This deadlock would last just a quarter-of-an-hour however, as Fillingham headed in a Luke Crewe free-kick to send the home side in front after 40 minutes.

The Bees could not rescue another equaliser before half-time, but put in a superb second-half display to put three past the home side.

Firstly, Andrews drove forward and unselfishly played Thomas in, who again equalised after 50 minutes.

The ball was then worked down the right-hand side to Clark inside the box, who put the Bees’ knees in front with a calmly curled, left-footed strike into the far corner after 62 minutes.

Morris then added the final goal of the afternoon by isolating and beating a defender, and drove the ball into the near post and past Hengrove goalkeeper Carl Bush to round off the scoring.

The win sees the Bees up to a healthy 11th in the table, and can go ninth should they win a game in hand on the two teams above them.

Bridport boss Adam Fricker said: “It was really tough conditions so we were pleased with the result and the performance to be fair.

“The biggest thing from our perspective was the pitch played well, asides from the last 15 or 20 minutes.

“Our intention was to go out there and play the way we know we can play.

“We wanted to make sure we were very attack-minded and we were. Probably the only disappointing thing was that we conceded. Their two goals came from set pieces which I think we could have probably defended better as a team.”

Speaking about Clark’s goal, Fricker said: “We are really pleased for Sam because he has not got as many goals as he would have liked so far this season.”

Bridport host Chipping Sodbury Town on Saturday (3pm).

Hengrove: Bush, L Crewe, John, Boyle, Brimble, White, Parsons, Palmer, Fillingham, Crewe, Fear

Subs not used: Boda, Bond-Kendall.

Bridport: Hutchings, Regan, King, McGrath, Sweet, Andrews, Peach, Thomas (Cox 80), Clark (Weedon 70), Morris, Salter