11:28pm Tuesday 16th April 2013
By Adam Summers
ILFRACOMBE TOWN 0 BRIDPORT 1
MATT Condliffe grabbed the only goal as the Bees stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games with a hard-fought victory at Ilfracombe Town tonight.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Bridport upped their game following a dour opening period that lacked quality throughout.
The West Dorset outfit have now taken 11 points from their last five games which have included three clean sheets – a good run of form going into this Saturday’s home clash against league leaders Bishop Sutton (3pm).
Boss Trevor Senior said: “We did not get going in the first half when they were probably the better side.
“It was 100 miles per hour but there wasn’t a lot of quality from either side. In fact, it came down to who could kick it the furthest a lot of the time and it was pretty much stalemate.
“I told the lads we needed to try and get closer to our forwards in the second half and to be fair to them they did exactly that with the goal coming just a minute after the break.
“We also had a couple of half chances to go further ahead, while at the back we were really resolute.
“In the end we ground out a 1-0 win and the fact we managed to keep another clean sheet was pleasing as well.”
Condliffe cut in from the left and curled home a wonderful shot inside the far post before almost setting up Ryan Dovell for a second, just moments later.
The ex-Dorchester man showed good movement in the box but just failed to get a touch on the inswinging cross.
Sam Filkins then made a smart save at the other end following an effort from close range but apart from that the Bees always looked in control.
Senior added: “We are starting to move clear of the teams below us and are within touching distance of those just above.
“We just need to keep pushing on and see where it takes us.
“Our next game is going to be a huge test against Bishop Sutton but we will go into it full of confidence.”
Sam Charles made his long-awaited return to action for the Bees with a late cameo from the bench. The striker has been out for over a year with a cruciate-ligament injury.
Senior said: “Sam got nine or 10 minutes at the end and it was great to see him back out there.”
Bridport remain 15th in the Toolstation Western Premier Division, but with just six points separating them from Willand Rovers in 11th, they will no doubt be hoping to climb further up the table over the course of their last five games.
Bees: S Filkins, J Filkins, Condliffe, Evans, M Buckler, Hayter, Luke, Wise, Dovell, Legg (Charles 81), B Clarke. Subs not used: Cummings, C Clarke.
Bees’ Man of the Match: Jamie Filkins
Attendance: 72
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