16th November 2011

BRIDPORT FOOTBALL: Evans agony as Bees falter again

Bridport 0 Odd Down 1

Attendance: 99

A DRAMATIC finish saw Odd Down keeper Steve Scannell save Shane Evans’ penalty and deny Bridport the opportunity of going to extra-time in this Les Phillips Cup tie.

Once again the Bees had created the better chances but as so often this season they had failed to take advantage.

Manager Trevor Senior rang the changes with the unavailability of Tom Richardson, by playing Joe Charles up front alongside brother Sam and it turned out to be quite a productive if unfruitful combination.

Odd Down started at pace and brothers Troy and Kye Simpson tested home keeper Sam Filkins in the opening minutes, but the game then settled down to be fairly even.

Joe Charles was unlucky twice within minutes on the half hour. First Scannell palmed his header over the bar, and two minutes later, although another header this time beat the visiting gloveman, a defender was on hand to head it off the line.

Joe Charles became provider two minutes later when he puts his brother through on goal, but Scannell thwarted him as he bore down on goal by deflecting the ball for a corner.

Soon it was Filkins showing his keeping prowess, when midfielder Gino Necco tested him from distance with a shot that brought an excellent save.

The second half like the first was nip and tuck. Scannell tipped San Charles’ header over the bar before the striker spurned another one-on-one opportunity with Scannell again deflecting it for a corner.

Then on 76 minutes Odd Down scored decisive goal when they broke up a Bees attack and quickly countered. A run and cross down the right found defender Bradley Newman at the far corner of the penalty area. He controlled the ball before swivelling and driving a low accurate shot just inside the upright giving Filkins no chance.

It seemed as if Bridport had been given the ideal opportunity to at least take it to extra time when sub Adam Symes was brought down by Newman inside the area, but Scannell brilliantly saved Evans’ spot kick.

Unfortunately Necco was shown a red card right at the final whistle for kicking Jamie Morgan to sour an absorbing football match.