PLYMOUTH PARKWAY 2

Williams 40, Trott 53

BRIDPORT 1

Butcher 60 pen

BRIDPORT were unlucky not to come away from Plymouth Parkway with a point as the Toolstation Western League Premier Division high-fliers edged a 2-1 victory at Bolitho Park.

After going 2-0 behind courtesy of Mikey Williams and Jordan Trott goals, an Ed Butcher penalty began a concerted effort to recover from the Bees, who saw several late chances denied as Parkway held on.

Bridport, whose lack of options at centre-back necessitated the makeshift use of star striker Mark Salter at the heart of their defence, had competed well in the opening exchanges.

The Bees kept the scores level until the 40th minute when Ryan Lane robbed Josh Williams of possession and fed Mikey Williams to outpace Salter and fire past away keeper Jason Hutchings.

After going into the break one down, Bridport were unfortunate to concede directly from a corner as Trott’s delivery took the blustery wind and deceived Hutchings.

Hutchings then pulled off a great save to diffuse a one-on-one situation and Butcher responded by latching onto a Ben Morris through ball and drawing a foul from home keeper Kyle Moore in the box.

Butcher stepped up to score with 30 minutes remaining and nearly equalised when lashing at goal from Morris’ superb cross only for Moore to acrobatically save.

Striker Sam Clark replaced Leighton Thomas after the Cayman Islands winger came off worse in a clash of heads and the former aimed a fizzing first-time volley at goal that Moore superbly palmed away as the hosts claimed their seventh win in seven games.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Bees boss Adam Fricker praised his side in difficult conditions.

He said: “The lads were excellent, we went into the game with no recognised centre-half – all three were out. Mark played there for the first time in his career.

“We had to shuffle the pack and set out a certain way. The lads did exactly what we asked of them and we ran Parkway right to the end. Some of the young lads really stepped up to the plate.”

He added: We held firm for 40 minutes and played some good stuff, it certainly wasn’t backs to the wall. I’m really proud of what they did.”

On Salter’s contribution, Fricker said: “I rang him on Friday and he said ‘I’ve seen the squad, I know what’s coming!’

“Fair play to him, it might have given him an extra couple of years, you never know.

“He did really well and I knew he would, he’s an experienced player.”

Bridport lie in 13th while Parkway remain second.

Bees: Hutchings, Williams, Andrews, Salter, Condliffe, Cox, Symes, Peach, Morris, Thomas (Clark 65), Butcher. Subs not used: Wood, Fricker

Attendance: 180