Football - Screwfix Direct Western League Premier Division

From the Echo, first published Thursday 16th Oct 2003.

Last gasp Bees

Bridport 1 Bishop Sutton 0

NEW look Bridport rediscovered their early season form in an enthralling win over Bishop Sutton at St Mary's Field.

After completely dominating an exciting second half, it looked as though the Bees might have to settle for a point, until Chris Armstrong bagged all three with the sweetest of half volleys in the dying seconds of injury time.

It was no more than Bridport deserved for maintaining the belief that the winner would eventually come despite a bounty of chances that got away.

After a quiet first quarter of an hour, it was the hosts who made the initial inroads.

Ian Linney, getting forward well from right wing-back, almost finished off a neat build up but Robin Moore was sharp off his line to block.

Moments later, Moore showed lightening reactions from point-blank range when Warren White volleyed Greeno's whipped cross from six yards.

White then burst clear off a clever back heel from Armstrong the shot lacked power.

Bishops enjoyed their best and only spell of pressure towards the end of the first period.

Joe Parsons ought to have done better when he capitalised on a mistake from Dave Newland, but he pulled his shot wide.

On the half time whistle, Steve Mason was given a free header from a far post corner and luckily for the Bees, he could only redirect it back across the face of goal.

But that was the sum of the visitors' goal attempts with goalkeeper Martin Peters a spectator for most of the match.

The home side renewed their assault on Bishops' goal. McAuley struck a volley wide on the stretch, White was denied trying to lift the ball over Moore, then Jason Thoday cracked a loose ball against the angle after Ian Rider stopped White's initial effort on the line.

The opportunities continued to flow, Rose and Leach got in each others way with only the keeper to beat, Armstrong had shouts for a penalty and the youngster also put a close range header wide.

Bishops must have thought they had somehow stolen a draw after seeing off three more gilt-edged openings in a grandstand finish.

First, White flicked a header just over from Armstrong's corner on 89 minutes.

The Leach skimmed the crossbar with the goal at his mercy, leaning back too much on the shot.

Finally, Armstrong nipped in following a misjudgement from Mason and slid the ball past Moore, only to see it roll by the post.

But the Bees kept going deep into stoppage time and got their just reward - with everyone appealing for a penalty after Simon Austin was pushed in the box, Armstrong kept his head to control the ball 25 yards out and dispatch his drive into the bottom corner.

Bees: Peters, Newland, Thoday, Linney, Stewart, McAuley, Greeno (Austin 45min), Rose, Linney, Armstrong, White. Subs not used: Conning, Nash.

Att: 98

Bees man of the match: Chris Armstrong

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