BRIDPORT 1

ALRESFORD TOWN 2

BRIDPORT boss Adam Fricker’s first competitive game in charge of the club ended in an FA Cup exit at the hands of Wessex League Alresford Town.

But the Bees’ boss, who has overseen the process a gelling a number of fresh faces at St Mary’s Field over the summer, was keen to take the plus points from his side’s display.

“We are obviously disappointed to lose but, from a performance point of view we played some good stuff, it was just a case of not taking our chances and killing them off when we had the opportunity really,” he told Echosport.

“It’s obviously disappointing to be out the cup but there were a lot of positives to take from it.”

The Bees opened the scoring at St Mary’s field on 15 minutes to put themselves in the ascendancy.

Some good work from Ed Butcher down the left allowed him to eventually pull the ball back for Dan Peach, who tucked home the opener.

But 10 minutes later, after Alresford had also hit the post, they were back on level terms.

A defensive mix-up allowed Tom Sands to loop the ball into the net for the visitors to restore parity.

Bridport’s Matt Condliffe then conceded a penalty in the second period as the Bees looked on the ropes, but Jason Hutchings stood up to his rescue in the Bridport goal by saving the resulting spot-kick and keeping the score at 1-1.

That was to be shortlived however, as Alresford struck the hammer blow on 66 minutes. Craig Harding found the net with a goal Fricker felt had a hint of offside.

He added: “I think a draw would have been a fair result to take them to a replay but from our point of view we just need to dust ourselves down and go again.

“We created seven or eight clear chances. It’s down to us to be taking them, which is frustrating, but at least we are creating.

“We are just looking forward to getting the league season started on Tuesday night (at home to Buckland Athletic) really.

“We would have preferred to have started in the league, it is very difficult going up against a team you don’t know too much about as well.

“You can’t really prepare too much other than setting yourselves up as you would normally.”

Bees: Hutchings, Condliffe, Chlopecki, Hastings, Martin, Bailey, Peach, Barrett, Symes, Salter, Butcher Subs: Woodland, Spurway, Rutter, King, Smith