BRIDPORT 3

PLYMOUTH MARJON 0

BRIDPORT claimed their biggest win for 1,127 days with a 3-0 success over Plymouth Marjon at St Mary’s Field.

Not since the 4-0 win at Chipping Sodbury in September 2019 had Bridport won a competitive game by more than two goals.

But they blew recent performances out of the water with a much-needed first South West Peninsula League Premier East win of the season – and second under new boss Chris Herbst.

Herbst had kept three new signings close to his chest before the match, with former Bees midfielder Tom Richardson returning to the club and full-back Kieren Daniels signing from Axminster.

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Free agent Manny Roche has also joined, while Jack Wright has also agreed terms. Both players have experience playing for the Navy along with teammate James Cox.

Richardson and Marjon’s Alangel Joseph traded shots in the opening 15 minutes before Richardson prodded home his first goal since leaving Wincanton.

Rising Bridport pressure culminated in a second goal as Wright sent an 18-yard header in from Cox’s corner into the net.

Marjon were to create little as the match went on, a sign of their struggles coming moments into the second half when Joseph blazed a free-kick over.

Their plight was in stark contrast to a Bridport side growing in belief as Cox rippled the side netting and Riley Weedon dragged a shot wide.

However, Weedon bagged his third goal in as many games when he led and finished a counter in the 74th minute to effectively wrap up the points for the Bees.

Marjon were even denied a consolation when Leon Smith clattered the bar with a header, the ball then rebounding off him for a goal-kick to illustrate the Jons’ ill fortune.

Had he scored, the goal would not have dented Bridport’s afternoon as the bottom-placed Bees closed to within one point of next weekend’s opponents Elburton Villa.

Speaking post-match, Herbst said: “I’m over the moon, absolutely buzzing.

“We played so well. We went back to a 3-5-2 to try and make us harder to beat, we didn’t really give many chances up.

“We really should’ve scored more but I’m not going to argue with 3-0!”

Bees: Scadding, Childs (Elliott 19), Cox (Daniels 70), Wright, Gall, Baker, Howe (E Roche 60), Gape, Ayunga (Hereka 70), Richardson, Weedon (O Peart 75).

Bridport visit Dorchester Town in the Dorset Senior Cup first round on Tuesday (7.30pm).