By Kerry Miller
BUCKLAND ATHLETIC 3
BRIDPORT 2
MARK Salter's second half double could not prevent a third Toolstation Western Premier Division defeat for Bridport as they lost 3-2 at Buckland Athletic.
Buckland started at a fast pace and wide man Lloyd Gardner began tormenting Dane James and from their first real attack he pulled a ball back from the byline and Richard Groves’ left foot put his side a goal up.
Minutes later Jared Lewington’s diving header hit the net but after the ball had gone out for a goal kick but the 125 strong crowd didn’t have to wait long for the second as Gardner again waltzed past James and his pass was on a plate for Lewington to tap in untroubled.
Bridport were stunned and two minutes after a weak Salter header the home side were at it again.
Groves found room down the middle and his finish past Jason Hutchings was clinical to make it 3-0 with only 20 minutes on the clock.
To their credit Bridport kept going and Ed Butcher then volleyed wide from distance before Lewington’s effort hit the post, which bizarrely was a turning point in the game.
At the other end Carter and Gardner both tested Hutchings but Bridport were in no mood to roll over and Butcher continued his one-man crusade against Griffiths by driving just over.
On the hour their hard graft was rewarded when Butcher’s speed took him into the area and was too much for Carter who brought him down and Salter dispatched the penalty to exorcise memories of the previous two.
Griffiths then just kept Butcher out with his legs and after a great move with Thomas, the former Chard Town man fired over once again.
With the half closing out the home defence slumbered for a second and a quick throw found Salter in space and he crashed in a left-footer for his 485th senior goal to set up the grandstand finish.
Braeden Symes then found Butcher on the left and in the gathering murk his effort somehow stayed out and Buckland duly went joint top of the league.
Bees: Hutchings, Martin, Sweet, James, Hill, Symes, Cornish, Thomas, Latas, Salter, Butcher. Subs: Handyside, Andrews, Richardson
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