TAVISTOCK 9

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT endured another painful away day as Toolstation Western League Premier Division leaders Tavistock won 9-0 at Langsford Park.

The Lambs retain their three-point lead at the top of the standings, while Bridport’s goal difference plummeted to minus 165 after their 33rd loss from 35 league games this season.

To add insult to injury, future boss Edgar Marcu was sent to the stands for dissent and could miss the beginning of Bridport’s new season in the summer, depending on the severity of his ban.

Bridport were hamstrung from the off due to a catalogue of defensive injuries and unavailabilities.

READ MORE: Bridport 1-4 Exmouth Town - match report

Only left-back George Calverley and Josh Grace were recognised defenders, while Riley Greenwood-Neate again filled in admirably to complete the most makeshift of makeshift back threes.

They held out until the 14th minute, when keeper Josh Lucas pushed clear a corner, only for Ed Harrison to smuggle the ball over the line.

Tavistock doubled their lead when Jordan Annear escaped into the box and picked out Teigan Rosenquest, who slotted home for 2-0.

The Lambs produced a cross of real quality for the third goal, Iestyn Harris supplying Josh Grant at the near post for a deft finish past Lucas.

Grant whacked an effort against the post but Tavistock did manage a fourth before half-time when Lucas parried Rosenquest’s shot across the face the goal, Harris then burying the loose ball for his maiden Tavi goal.

Besieged keeper Lucas made several saves in the second half amid a flurry of goals but Tavistock’s fifth came when Warren Daw met a high cross at the back post.

Grant grabbed Tavistock’s sixth from the spot, the penalty given for a clumsy tackle, and he completed his hat-trick when Lucas misjudged a cross, allowing a tap in for 7-0.

Marcu then shared too many choice words with the officials and he was given his marching orders for dissent, sitting out the remainder of the game from the stands.

Caretaker boss Shaun Annetts continued solo in the dugout but was powerless to prevent Daw heading his second and Tavi’s eighth from a corner.

And the scoring was completed when Daw notched a treble of his own, heading home from a corner once more.

Bridport had no shots of note at goal as Tavistock completely outclassed their patched-up side.

Speaking post-match, Annetts said: “I knew it was going to be tough, they’re top of the league.

“Just before we started, they got news that Exmouth had beaten Millbrook 9-0 so they were looking to put their stamp down as well.

“But we were short of defenders yet again. If we had the choice we’d have gone with four or even five.

“They went for the jugular, had a bit of fortune with a few decisions and a few ricochets that fell kindly, but (yesterday) for whatever, reason, the team just wasn’t at it.

“The performance against Exmouth on Friday was very good, especially in the first 45 minutes.

“(Yesterday), it just didn’t happen. It was along the same lines as the Street game. Players just didn’t want to be out there, I don’t think.

“The only player that came out with credit with Josh in goal. As you expect when you have this level of defeat, the keeper is going to be kept busy.

“He did make some fine saves and he comes out of the game with a great deal of credit. Apart from that, there were not many positives to take.

“The performance against Cadbury Heath was decent and the performance against Exmouth was decent. I hoped they would carry that sort of level into the game, but it wasn’t to be.”

Bridport finish their season at home to Clevedon on Saturday (3pm).

Bees: Lucas, G Calverley, Greenwood-Neate, Grace, Brook, Gusoi (Habiil 46), A Steele, Osei-Kumi, Norman, M Calverley (Arnold 46), Boulton. Sub not used: Owen.