SHEPTON MALLET 1

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT’S battling display failed to yield a point despite a late surge of pressure as Shepton Mallet held on to win 1-0 in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

In the opening exchanges, the sides traded free-kicks before Tyson Pollard had the first shot at goal.

Bridport’s young keeper Jordon Scadding was on top form to keep Shepton at bay with two stunning stops in quick succession.

However, Scadding could do nothing to prevent Nick Hewlett scoring in the 24th minute as the Bees lost track of the Mallet defender who volleyed home unmarked.

Shepton were unlucky not to take a two-goal lead into the break as a fierce shot crunched the post and bounced along the line for Scadding to retrieve.

Kicking back down the slope in the second half, Bridport improved after weathering a barrage of Shepton chances.

Cam Shorney blasted over and Joe Morgan fired at Scadding before the young keeper denied Jack Fillingham with a superb save.

Scadding’s heroics continued, the keeper making a flying stop in the 77th minute to set up a grandstand finish.

Bridport threw men forward in the final stages and Luke King saw two half-chances go begging as the Bees nearly salvaged a point.

Post-match, Bridport boss Jamie Manley praised his young players for a hard-working shift.

He said: “We’re disappointed we didn’t get anything out of the game in the end.

“There were a lot of plusses. The young lads that came in were fantastic. We brought in Callum Middleton and Riley Weedon, they both started in the middle of the park and did really well.

“Obviously, Jordon in goal he did well and we ended up with Jaydon Scadding coming on and Ryan Leader.

“Callum and Riley playing in the middle against an experienced Shepton held their own.”

Bridport host high-flying Westbury United on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Jo Scadding, Haines, King, Owen, Butcher (Ja Scadding 75), C Middleton, Weedon, Cornish, Carlile (Leader 65), Clarke, Evans (Blango 65).