EXMOUTH TOWN 4 BRIDPORT 1

BRIDPORT saw a 1-0 lead overturned by in-form Exmouth Town who emerged worthy 4-1 winners in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash.

It was the Bees’ second consecutive 4-1 defeat in five days following an identical loss at Odd Down.

Player injuries again disrupted Jamie Manley’s men, with first-choice strikers Liam Sayers (quad), Kris Hastings (foot) and Lewis Clarke (groin) all out.

That meant Shane Evans was drafted in up top and the former Portland man was the creative influence in Bridport’s goal.

Evans won the ball and drilled a raking crossfield pass to Ryan Leader, who whipped a pinpoint cross in for midfielder Leon Wood to plant a firm header past Town’s keeper.

Bridport conceded an equaliser after failing to clear a delivery into the box.

As the Bridport defence advanced, Exmouth picked out the unmarked Max Gillard to fire past keeper Jordon Scadding from 12 yards.

Exmouth dominated the remainder of the half and, although Bridport held on until the break, it took just one minute for Town to take the lead after the resumption as Mark Lever struck.

Bridport were now on the backfoot and their position worsened when Andy Holmes saw red for a late tackle – despite claiming to touch the ball – and Dan Cullen made it 3-1.

Town coasted to victory when substitute Ben Steer added a fourth late on, boosting Exmouth to fourth in the table, with Bridport 19th.

Post-match, Manley said: “Our trouble is we’re making the same mistakes time and time again.

“When we make a mistake, we get punished and the ball’s in the back of the net.

“When other sides make their mistakes, the ball doesn’t end up in the back of the net.

“I said to the lads after ‘I can’t knock the effort’. Every one of them put a shift in.

“We’ve picked up a few injuries, which hasn’t helped and we’ve had no Liam, Kris, no Lewis and Antony Carlile to call on.

“Shane came in, helped us out, played up front and did a goo job for us – thanks to him for stepping in.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, Haines, Butcher (Warren), King, Holmes, Westlake, Gape (Owen), Wood, Lock, Leader, Evans (Weedon).

Attendance: 155