BRIDPORT 0

SALTASH UNITED 9

BRIDPORT slumped to a 9-0 defeat by Saltash United after goalkeeper Greg Taylor sustained a concerning head injury.

Taylor was visibly shaken after colliding with Tony Carlile, who Bridport claim was pushed in the back by a Saltash player.

Taylor had collected a long pass but spilled the ball after the collision with Carlile, allowing Sam Hughes to score.

Taylor’s protests ensured he was sin-binned by referee Mike O’Donovan for dissent – the first instance of its kind involving a Bees side in the Western League.

Top scorer Mike Hill filled in between the sticks for 10 minutes and Jake Hawker hooked a shot off the line soon after.

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But Bridport were temporarily reduced to nine men, again for dissent, when Jake Owen was sin-binned in the 14th minute for contesting against a challenge on Kriss Radivojsa.

It forced Bridport to adopt a rearguard approach until Taylor was cleared to continue.

However, Taylor was beaten again on 29 minutes when his parry landed at the feet of Dave Barker who swept home for 2-0.

Barker headed his second past a motionless Bridport defence and Neil Slateford crashed home a fourth before half-time.

After being assessed at the interval, Taylor pledged to continue but the Bees went 5-0 down on 50 minutes when Sam Crocker sprinted 70 yards before firing home.

Taylor was then tended to by Ashes’ physio Richard Haydon, who immediately signalled to the home bench that the keeper was unable to continue.

With Hill back in goal, Hughes claimed the final touch in a goalmouth scramble for 6-0.

Saltash had seven when Alex Cairo slotted home before Crocker headed past Hill in the 75th minute.

Former Plymouth and Dorchester striker Rubin Wilson then rifled home from 25 yards as Saltash made it 9-0.

Bridport did not have a meaningful effort on target until the final minute when sub Harley Brook fired at away keeper Ryan Rickard.

Following the game, Taylor was taken to hospital via ambulance for assessment but was given the all clear by medical staff.

Discussing the incident involving Taylor, caretaker boss Shaun Annetts said: “We started reasonably brightly but within the first five minutes there was a ball down the middle towards Greg.

“Relatively simple and it was being shepherded back by Tony, who was then thrust into Greg.

“Greg had the ball in both hands and the collision with Tony made Greg spill the ball, as you’d expect.

“The players expected the whistle to go and a free-kick would be awarded.

“We’re guilty of not playing to the whistle, as we’re told as kids.

“By this time, Greg was down on the ground, and (Hughes) has played it in from distance.

“When that goal was awarded, Greg said a few words to the referee which he shouldn’t and was given a sin-bin.”

Bees: Taylor (Brook 51), Greenwood-Neate, A Steele (Baggs 65), Hawker, Carlile, Owen, Hill, Burwood (Strelley 75), Radivojsa, Boulton, Osei-Kumi.

Attendance: 85