BRIDPORT 1

BITTON 3

BRIDPORT suffered yet another 3-1 reversal as their losing streak stretched to five games in all competitions.

However, boss Trevor Senior, who saw goalscorer Sam Charles dismissed with the St Mary’s Field encounter delicately poised at one apiece, felt the scoreline flattered visiting Bitton.

He said: “To be fair, we played well in the first half but we went a goal down early on.

“A cross came in from the right and as Shane Evans went back to try and defend it, Sam Filkins also came out to collect it and unfortunately it came off Shane’s head and into the goal, which was a real shame.

“They hit a post with a long-range shot but then Tom Richardson had a good volley and Chris Clarke had a shot saved.

“We eventually equalised when Sam Charles headed in from a Dan Wise free-kick and we were very much in the game at half-time.

“We were looking good going forward but then 10 minutes into the second half Sam Charles was fouled on the edge of the box. It was a two-footed challenge and Sam reacted to it.

“Their guy got sent off for the tackle itself while Sam was sent off for his reaction, which was harsh and a booking at best.

“The loss of a player seemed to affect us more than it did them, as we didn’t create too much after that.

“They didn’t create a lot either, we just got caught out for their second goal. A ball bounced on the edge of our box and we didn’t head it away.

“We got caught on it and their guy (Mark Fey) chipped the ball over Sam Filkins.

“We then pushed forward but in the last couple of minutes Mark Salter made it 3-1, which flattered them a bit. But at the end of the day, we lost the game.

“I’m not too disappointed. I don’t like losing but there are some positives to take. We’re just getting punished at the moment.”

The Bees will look to end their winless run when they visit Wessex League Division One outfit Andover New Street this weekend in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

Bees: Filkins, Condliffe, C Clarke (J Charles 79), Evans (G Bulman 79), Senior, Hayter, Symes, Wise (Watts 68) S Charles, Richardson, Legg.

* Bridport will be hosting a race night on Saturday, October 1. The event takes place at the Beehive (7pm) and entrance is free of charge.