Dawlish Town 2 Bridport 5

BRIDPORT staged a blistering comeback to get their Screwfix Direct Premier Division campaign off to the best possible start at Sandy Lane.

The Bees made hard work of overcoming a Dawlish side made up mostly of youngsters and last season's reserves and were looking at each other in disbelief after going 2-0 down on 40 minutes.

In a dominant first half, Simon Gale had already hit the post and both Dave Newland and Jason Thoday had side footed wide from close range by the time Chris Slough had put the home side in front on 38 minutes.

His quickly-taken free kick nestled sweetly into the bottom corner as goalkeeper Martin Peters was still organising his wall.

Moments later, the Bees back line was caught square when Brad Cox sent Carl Turner clear and he had all the time in the world to place the ball neatly under Peters.

Darren Stewart handed Bridport a much needed tonic right on half time when he headed home Gale's cross after the striker had shown some light footwork on the byline.

The fight-back was truly on when the lively Chris Armstrong, whose pace and desire was a real handful in the second half, flicked the ball over the keeper to level on 55 minutes.

Gale, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, got his reward when he put his team in front on 71 minutes, blasting in via a deflection following another tormenting run by Armstrong.

Bridport put the gloss on a fine display with two further strikes in the final ten minutes to go top of the table.

The fourth was a tremendous individual effort from substitute Richie Parkinson, who jinked his way to goal from his own half and slotted the ball home.

Then, Gale thumped a powerful volley beyond Armitage from 10 yards. Bees: Peters, Newland, Thoday, Evans, Stewart (Parkinson 79 mins), McAuley, Rose, Gale, Linney, Armstrong, Greeno (Leach 79 mins). Sub not used: Conning.

Booked: Newland (not retreating 10 yards)

Man of the Match: Simon Gale