OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE 3

BRIDPORT 0

BRIDPORT ended their maiden South West Peninsula League Premier East season with a 3-0 defeat at second-placed Okehampton Argyle.

Having got off to an inauspicious start, Bridport have slowly regrouped under the leadership of Chris Herbst to claim 11th in the table.

And, while there are plenty of positives for the manager to build on, the Bees’ squad depth is an area highlighted for improvement.

Fielding a side missing numerous key players due to injuries, Bridport lacked punch against a side who had led the table for large spells before being overtaken by new champions Brixham.

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Bridport fell behind in the ninth minute when Luke King’s excellent tackle to intercept a cross inadvertently rebounded kindly for Olly Snow to lash home for 1-0.

Bridport had two chances in the first half as Riley Weedon missed out after a neat exchange with Tom Richardson, before Jack Wright bulleted a fierce shot inches over the bar.

However, Argyle, who overall enjoyed the better of play, profited again from pinball in the box to make it 2-0.

Bridport failed to clear from several blocked Okehampton shots and once more the ball fell perfectly for an opposition player, this time Jake Rowe was well placed to head in at the back post.

On a difficult surface, Bridport struggled to get their passing game going but Wright did manage to whistle a shot wide after the break.

Okehampton were otherwise untroubled and defended well when Bridport attacked, sub Harley Brook seeing a chance snubbed.

Brook’s fellow sub Fyn Morgan also fired at the keeper having beaten two players but it was Argyle who had the last laugh.

Following heavy pressure on the Bees’ goal, Brad Ausden raced onto a through ball and deftly chipped keeper Jordon Scadding to seal second place in style.

Speaking post-match, Herbst said: “We didn’t really create much but, not against the run of play, they went up the other end and we didn’t clear.

“It falls to their striker who pokes it home. That’s been the story of how it’s been.

“Obviously there have been times where teams have scored good goals against us and you just have to hold your hands up.

“But a lot has been us not clearing our lines well enough. It’s just frustrating, really.

“The lads, there’s a few carrying niggly injuries and stuff. It’s nice to get the season done with and 11th place.

“It’s one of those games. The lads gave everything but (Okehampton) deserved to win.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, Baker (Brook 55), Mansley (Gall 42), King, Wright, Childs, Daniels, Howe, Handyside (Morgan 63), Weedon, Richardson.