BRIXHAM 1

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT conceded a late penalty to ten-man Brixham as the Fishermen continued their march to the South West Peninsula League Premier East title.

The result seemed harsh on Bridport who, just like Easter Monday, were worthy of a point against the league’s stand-out team until the late goal.

In an end-to-end first half, Sol Ayunga raced through one-on-one and was denied by a solid stop from man-of-the-match Grant Fisher.

Riley Weedon then sent a cheeky low free-kick around the wall but Fisher was equal to it, getting down low to his left to make the save.

READ MORE: Bridport 1-2 Brixham - report

Brixham responded with a gorgeous pass over the top by Danny Gaze to Scott Robinson, who spun round and teed up Kieran Parkin, his shot met by a good block from keeper Jordon Scadding.

Fisher was a commanding figure all game to snuff out Bridport’s set-pieces and crosses, and he also denied half-chances for Sol Ayunga and Tom Richardson.

However, the flashpoint at the end of the first half saw Brixham centre-half Tom Dunlop dismissed for an alleged kick out at Ayunga.

Brixham did a good job of managing their numerical disadvantage but Ayunga was denied again by Fisher, his poked effort forcing a tip-over save from the Blues’ stopper.

Brixham also hit the top of the woodwork with a wayward cross from their right wing but the ten men got the breakthrough on the opposite flank nine minutes from time.

Scott Robinson darted towards the box and a heavy touch luckily linked him up with sub Aaron Wellington, who touched the ball into the box and Robinson drove on to win a foul from Josh Baker.

Bridport felt Robinson had gone down in delayed fashion but the penalty stood and Charlie Johansen stepped up to power home the spot-kick, giving the motionless Scadding no chance.

Brixham then saw out the remaining time as Fisher dealt commandingly with Bridport’s deliveries, taking the second-placed Blues two points off leaders Crediton with four games to go.

Speaking post-match, Bees’ assistant-boss Mark Lock said: “What we tried to do was frustrate them and we had the better chances in the first half.

“We tried to not let them score because when they get a goal up they’re so good at controlling it.

“We kept them down to minimal chances and we probably shaded them on chances the whole game.

“The lads were a little deflated at the end but where we’ve come from and where we are now, we’re in a far better place.”

Bridport travel to Bovey Tracey on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Bees: Jo Scadding, Wright, Baker, Gall, Cox, Elliott (Childs 75), Gape (Brook 82), Morgan (Handyside 63), Weedon, Richardson, Ayunga. Sub not used: Howe.