BRIDPORT 1

Cox 9

HALLEN 2

K Thomas 35, Bamfo 66

BRIDPORT ended their Toolstation Western League Premier Division league campaign with a 2-1 defeat at home to Hallen.

The result means the Bees finished 13th in the table, with Hallen leapfrogging them with the victory.

Prior to the match, Bridport boss Adam Fricker announced his departure as manager in the programme notes due to work commitments.

The Bees started sharply, and went ahead early on through James Cox, who fired across Hallen goalkeeper Liam MacFarland and into the net.

Ed Butcher was then put through one-on-one with MacFarland, but the Hallen goalkeeper made a great save.

However, Kyle Thomas was able to equalise for Hallen when he raced through the Bridport defence and fired past Jason Hutchings in the Bees’ goal.

The two sides went in level at the break.

After 51 minutes, a collision saw Hutchings suffer broken ribs, and was substituted with backup goalkeeper James Smith coming on.

Mark Salter had a good opportunity to give the Bees the lead once more, but could not get enough height on an attempted chip over MacFarland.

Butcher also went through one-on-one again but was again denied by MacFarland, before skewing a shot wide.

Hallen then took the lead when Ed Bamfo nodded in a rebound for the visitors.

The Bees had a late penalty shout when Salter went down in the box, but the Bees were unable to claim a point as it ended in a 2-1 defeat.

After the match, Fricker admitted it was a “typical last game” with neither team fighting relegation or able to clinch a promotion place.

Fricker said: “It was just a bit of a typical last game of the season, both teams with nothing to play for really.

“We did alright in the first half, took the lead through a good goal by James.

“It was just a frustrating afternoon from our perspective really.”

Bridport: Hutchings (Smith 51), Condliffe, Cox, King, McGrath, Martin, Peach, Hebditch (Cornish 76), Salter, Butcher, Clark (Thomas 71)

Sub not used: Wood

Hallen: MacFarland, Bamfo, Bradley, Fisher, Hall-Cousins, Binding, Anglin, Chapson, Charman, K Thomas, Samuel. Subs: S Thomas, Mills, Ishi, Johnson, Mitchell

Attendance: 131