BRIDPORT boss Trevor Senior wants his players to become more ruthless in front of goal.
The Bees have been playing great football of late but have not always killed off their opponents as quickly as they could have done – a weakness that may start costing them precious points as they look to climb the Toolstation Western Premier Division table.
Speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Ilfracombe Town, Senior said: “We definitely deserved to win the game and it could have been a lot more comfortable than it was.
“We knocked the ball around well and created some great chances but we just need to become a bit more clinical in the final third.
“If we start doing that and continue playing the way we have been there is no reason why we cannot go on a bit of a run.”
Ryan Dovell and Steve Smith both returned from injury in the success and Senior reckons their eye for a goal could make all the difference.
He added: “Ryan got a good hour but we didn’t want to risk him any more than that because he is a big player for us.
“Steve was obviously disappointed not to start but he got a good 30 minutes as well.
“Since coming in on dual registration forms he has been a bit unfortunate. He played the first three games but then missed two through injury and was cup tied for another.
“I need to speak with Wim-borne again but hopefully we can keep him.
“If we can get those two fit and firing then it would be a massive boost for us.”
Bridport took control from the outset against Ilfracombe and were the better team throughout much of the contest. Tom Richardson struck the bar before Dan Wise opened the scoring from the spot following Josh Heafield’s foul on Dovell at the near post.
Shane Evans then saw a header cleared off the line for the Bees, and after Dovell and Richardson both saw attempts fly wide, the visitors equalised when Stan Paxton squeezed home a shot with just 17 minutes remaining.
That setback stunned the Bridport fans but just moments later Chris Luke grabbed what proved to be the winner with a fine run and shot, which was good enough to grace any game.
Even then the margin of victory could have been bigger with Wise being handed a second penalty for handball. Unfortun-ately, this time his effort was saved.
Next up for the Bees on Saturday is a tough trip to high-flying Cadbury Heath (3pm).
Bees: S Filkins, J Filkins, C Clarke, Evans, Watts, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Richardson (M Buckler 83), Dovell (Smith 65), Morley (Condliffe 77).
Man of the Match: Dan Wise.
Attendance: 86
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