HALLEN 2

K Thomas 6 pen, 82

BRIDPORT 3

Andrews 29, Peach 40, Richardson 83

BRIDPORT came out on top with a rollercoaster 3-2 win over 10-man Hallen in their gripping Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at the Hallen Centre.

An extraordinary match, crammed full of action, saw the hosts take the lead in the sixth minute via the spot.

Bridport defender Louis Rutter conceded the penalty, making a last-ditch tackle to prevent a goalscoring opportunity but the centre-back mis-timed his challenge.

Kyle Thomas stepped up to convert the spot-kick past Jason Hutchings, but Bridport equalised on 29 minutes.

A smart move down the left freed Mark Salter, the striker scampering to the byline and dragging a pass back for Kameron Andrews to bend a delicious shot into the top corner from the angle of the 18-yard box.

Andrews’ finish put the Bees into the ascendancy and just before half-time the visitors took the lead.

Braeden Symes found Tom Richardson with a superb ball out wide, the latter raiding down the right and pulling a cross back for Dan Peach, who clinically drove his shot into the bottom corner for a 2-1 half-time lead.

Hallen’s direct approach, involving a front three, nearly reaped rewards in the second period as two looping headers rattled Hutchings’ crossbar, but chances were at a premium until a chaotic final 10 minutes.

Symes did fantastically well to clear off the line during a goalmouth scramble and Hallen’s Scott Thomas scythed through the midfielder, earning a red card for a two-footed lunge, Hutchings also booked during the melee.

Undeterred, Hallen equalised when Kyle Thomas cut in and smashed a shot into the top corner on 82 minutes.

But the Armadillos were not level for long as Richardson immediately surged upfield, beat two defenders and found the net to secure Bridport’s third win in three league games.

Speaking to Echosport, boss Adam Fricker said: “It’s confidence levels. You record a couple of wins and suddenly it’s there.

“One of the lads hit the nail on the head after the game and said ‘a few weeks ago we probably would have lost that and not won it, maybe drawn it’.

“Even when they equalised the lads got straight back on it, went on the attack and got the win, so it’s really pleasing.”

Bees: Hutchings, Regan (Wood 65), Richardson, Rutter, McGrath, Morris, Symes, Peach, Andrews, Clark (Vere 20), Salter. Sub not used: Fricker