BRIDPORT 1

SHEPTON MALLET 2

BEES’ boss Adam Fricker felt his side were worthy of a point at a soggy St Mary’s Field on Saturday, but they came away empty-handed against Shepton Mallet.

The Bees were up against it before a ball was even kicked on the afternoon as experienced duo Ryan Hayter and Mark Salter were unable to feature through respective ankle and back injuries.

Having created a couple of chances on a heavy pitch, the Bees were punished as the visitors took the lead on 25 minutes.

A cross from Mallet’s Ashley Willmott found Tyson Pollard at the back post, to deliver the first big blow for the Bees.

Soon after came the second for the visitors as James Billing headed across goal for Conrad Peck to convert in what was a melee in the Bees’ box. That gave Fricker’s men a mountain to climb.

The hosts did not give up however, and some dazzling footwork from Bridport’s Oscar Latas was too much for the Mallet backline, who conceded a penalty.

Up stepped Ed Butcher to slot home for the Bees inside the opening half but it was not to be for Bridport as, despite the best efforts of Leigh Bailey in the second period, Fricker’s side were left to start 2017 pointless.

The Bees’ manager said: “I don’t think either side could have said they deserved to win.

“In the second half we should have had another penalty but the ref was never going to give us two penalties in the game, that’s the frustrating thing.”

He added: “I think the biggest problem from our point of view was that Ryan failed a fitness test before the game and Mark Salter was missing.

“Louis Rutter had been ill for the last couple of days and was on the bench but basically was not an option to be brought on. The only option we did have was Adam Barrett who came back after a 10-week lay-off.

“I think, on a heavy pitch, if we had some fresh legs to add to it, the scoreline might have been different as they were rocking towards the end.

“It’s disappointing from our point of view because we feel we need to be picking up points from those in and around us really.”

Bees: Hutchings, Regan, Hill, Martin, Haines, Peach, Bailey, Symes (Barrett 65), Condliffe, Latas, Butcher. Subs not used: Rutter, Hayter, Fricker