BITTON 3

BRIDPORT 1

BRIDPORT crashed to a sixth loss in seven Toolstation Western League Premier Division games as 10-man Bitton won 3-1.

As has been a recent trend during the Bees’ defeats, Adam Fricker’s men have performed well in large spells until individual errors became their downfall.

That tendency was again in evidence against a high-flying Ton side who, just as in their 4-2 win over the Bees earlier in January, displayed a ruthlessness to fully punish Bridport’s mistakes.

Ben Harris helped convert a good start for the hosts by cutting inside Matt Condliffe before unleashing a 25-yard strike into the top corner past goalkeeper James Smith on 34 minutes.

But Bitton were in danger of throwing away their good start when they were reduced to 10 men following Josh Egan’s horrid tackle on Josh Williams, leaving the midfielder with a two-inch gash on his shin.

Bridport were afforded plenty of possession after the interval with Bitton sitting back and defending their area well.

However, an incisive, flowing move from the Bees had them level on 72 minutes when Dec Cornish bagged his third goal in three games since re-joining the club.

Fricker’s men looked set to go on and win the game, seeing several chances cleared off the line as Bitton clung on.

That was until a rash challenge from Louis Rutter, rushed into the side on his return from injury, brought down Dean Griffiths in the box who stepped up to fire to the motionless Smith’s right on 80 minutes.

Smith was then at fault, miskicking a clearance to Aysa Corrick who chested down before rifling home on 85 minutes.

Speaking to Echosport, Bridport’s assistant-manager Paddy Behan admitted all three Bitton goals were gifts.

He said: “We played really, really well but yet again we’ve been punished by individual mistakes.

“It’s just basic errors. The first one was Matty not closing down. If you know a lad’s playing on the left-hand side but he’s right-footed you know he’s going to cut in on his right foot.

“You get out to him as quickly as you possibly can. Then the last two, just as we got ourselves back into the game we’ve given away a silly penalty and then five minutes later we’ve made another hash of things.”

Bridport, who remain in 11th, next make the trip to Cadbury Heath, occupants of 12th, in league action on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Smith, Condliffe (Morris 75), Martin, Rutter, King, Peach, Williams (Cox 80), Cornish, Salter, Clark (Andrews 46), Butcher. Sub not used: Symes