PLYMOUTH PARKWAY 3

Duff 17, Krac 35, Carter 39

BRIDPORT 1

Pinder 30

BRIDPORT put up a game display against second-placed Plymouth Parkway but were eventually beaten 3-1 in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at Bolitho Park.

Parkway had disposed of the Bees 5-0 in August but there was to be no sign of such a thrashing as a much-improved Bridport side created chances from the off.

Centre-back Andrew Holmes rose highest from a free-kick to clip the crossbar with a header, before Sam Handyside’s wonderful run and shot clattered the post from 25 yards.

Parkway, who also skimmed the crossbar early on, plotted a route back into the game by firing diagonal balls behind the Bees’ full-backs.

Those tactics helped Parkway gain territory and the hosts duly netted the opening goal when former Weymouth midfielder Craig Duff nodded home at the back post from a corner in the 17th minute.

Bridport’s response was bright and, after defender Lloyd Beals played a ball down the right channel, Tony Pinder dispossessed the Parkway full-back and slotted home for his first Bridport goal on the half-hour mark.

Parkway were pegged back for just five minutes however, as Ryan Lane beat Beals on the Plymouth left before squaring for Shane Krac to slide a finish past keeper Scott Wells-Burr.

On 39 minutes Parkway had their third as another former Terra, Jordan Copp, crossed for Adam Carter to chest home an unorthodox finish past Wells-Burr.

Both sides cancelled each other out in an uneventful second half, with Bridport unable to get back into the game.

Speaking after the loss, Bridport boss Jamie Manley was buoyed by the improvements shown by his squad.

He said: “We’re obviously disappointed not to win but we knew it was going to be a hard task anyway because Parkway are a good side.

“The way we conducted ourselves and the way we played at times was very pleasing. We are improving and getting better, the squad’s getting stronger and I thought we did really well.

“We’re a little bit disappointed because we created a few good chances before Parkway have taken the lead.

“Saying that, Parkway created chances of their own so it was a bit end-to-end to start with. We competed really well and stood up to the task.

“We’re a little disappointed with the goals we conceded, they got in a bit easy down our right-hand side but it was still a pleasing performance.

“You know you’ve done alright when the opposition manager and their supporters come up and say how well we played and how well we did compared to the last time they played us.

“You know then that you’re doing something right.”

Bees: Wells-Burr, Beals, Salter, Holmes, Butcher, Warren, Westlake (Greenwood-Neate 59), Handyside, Clarke (Friend 76), Pinder, Cornish (Coombs 77).

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil