EXMOUTH TOWN 4

High 3, 29, Steer 19, Harris 90

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT showed trademark fighting spirit but were ultimately outclassed 4-0 at Exmouth Town in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

Ace High’s brace, either side of a Ben Steer strike, gave Exmouth a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Bridport avoided their recent trend of second-half capitulations with a brave display but Jordan Harris netted a fourth from close range to seal the win.

Caretaker boss Shaun Annetts was absent with Covid-19, so the Bees were led by reserve team boss Chris Herbst – who would have hoped for a better start as Exmouth took an early lead.

Town broke the deadlock in the third minute as High volleyed a diagonal cross home at the back post.

Exmouth nearly doubled their lead in the 11th minute when Harris outmuscled Bees’ captain Jake Owen before drilling a shot into the side netting.

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Bridport replied when Kriss Radivojsa forced Town keeper Lee Bailey into a save from 25 yards, before Bailey’s opposite number Greg Taylor flew to his right to magnificently keep out Callum Shipton’s curling shot.

Exmouth did increase their lead in the 19th minute when Josh Baker’s corner was cleared and Steer galloped clear on the counter before sliding a finish home into the bottom corner.

Bridport showed plenty of heart in trying circumstances as the lively Callum Arnold tested Bailey with a looping shot.

However, the serious chances all fell for Exmouth as High fired in through the gloves of Taylor in the 29th minute, moments after he headed a corner narrowly wide.

Taylor denied High a hat-trick and Harry Boulton evaded the offside trap on the break, only for the Bees’ forward to ripple the side-netting.

High swept wide and Aaron Denny fizzed a shot just shy of the far post as Exmouth finished the half strongly.

Exmouth continued on the front foot in the second half but replaced High with Cooper before Steer placed a good chance narrowly wide after a lovely touch to control.

Town should have made it four 21 minutes from time when centre-back Dave Rowe somehow headed Denny’s corner over when unmarked six yards out.

A fourth goal continued to evade Exmouth when sub Jimmy Hinds rattled the bar from a corner.

Bridport, who did well to limit the damage in the second half, battled on but could not make anything of a free-kick and corner in the dying stages.

Instead, Exmouth grabbed the fourth goal they deserved when Cooper’s determined run and shot was parried by Taylor, allowing Harris an unmissable chance from two yards to seal the three points.

Exmouth: Bailey, Lever, Scater (Hinds 78), D Cullen, Rowe, Gillard, Denny, Shipton, High (Cooper 57), Harris, Steer (M Cullen 65). Subs not used: Hill, Pegg.

Bees: Taylor, Greenwood-Neate, Radivojsa, Owen, Mamanta, Etherington, Baker, Carlile, Boulton, Arnold, Hill. Subs not used: M Tozer, Herbst.

Attendance: 451