Western League Premier Division

Slimbridge 1 Bridport 2

SLIMBRIDGE signed off their first season in the Western Premier League with a narrow defeat to Bridport at Wisloe Road.

Goals from Tom Richardson and Ryan Dovell had put the visitors in the driving seat, but a good last 15 minutes saw the home side reduce the deficit through a Jamie Martin penalty.

Despite home pressure, Slimbridge were unable to get the second goal to gain a point.

The result sees the Swans end up in 16th position after a rollercoaster of a season.

Slimbridge made a good start, and Brett James was unlucky in the first minute to see his shot drift just the wrong side of the Bridport post.

Bridport's first chances fell to James Filkins and Shane Evans, but both their shots ended up well off target.

Bridport keeper Sam Filkins was the first stopper to be called into action to make a save when, with ten minutes gone, Paul Fahy's long range effort following a neat pass from Callum Brown was at least on target.

It seemed that the visitors had left their shooting boots back in Dorset, when Chris Luke's effort was nearer to the edge of the penalty box than the goalpost on 24 minutes, before Martin coaxed another stop from Filkins, this time with an effort which was created by some good work by Ben Tunnicliff.

The Swans had a let off on 27 minutes when Scott Gearon scuffed his clearance to Dovell, who lobbed the ball back over the Slimbridge keeper.

His shot, however, was not strong enough to reach the net, and Gearon was able to turn and recover the ball before it reached the goal line.

Fahy forced a save from Filkins as the Swans pressed, and Dan Wise managed to reach the car park with another effort which was well off target.

Two minutes before the break, Bridport broke the deadlock. A cross from Luke found Richardson in space in the box, and he headed the ball home past Gearon.

On 63 minutes, an almost repeat of the move had exactly the same result – another cross was not dealt with properly, and this time it was Dovell's header which did the damage.

Slimbridge nearly pulled a goal back almost immediately, when Tunnicliff's header from a corner was just inches wide, but on 78 minutes, the deficit was reduced.

Richard Thwaite's good break set up Martin, who was felled in the penalty box as he shaped to shoot. Martin picked himself up and converted the penalty.

Despite pressure from the home side, which saw firstly Martin, and then Jack Twyman both go close, they were unable to get the equaliser, and Bridport held on to secure the three points.

Slimbridge: Gearon, Preece, Brown, Thwaite, Tunnicliff, Parrott, Janes, Twyman, Martin, Lane, (Sterling 55), Fahy.

Star man: Paul Fahy.