Bashley cruise past Bridport into next round of FA Vase

FA Vase: Bashley FC 3-0 Bridport

BASHLEY FC booked their place in the next round of the FA Vase with a home 3-0 home victory against Bridport.

The black and golds were first into their stride with Hugh Dathan unlucky to see his header from a free-kick graze the bar. Bash continued to attack and a Brad Strickland header from a Harry Morgan teasing corner went under the bar to give the home side the lead on seven minutes.

Bridport were beginning to find their feet and the Bashley defensive line-up, already without the unavailable Lewis Ross, suffered a further blow when the influential Dan Thompson left the field with a leg injury.

The hosts continued to dominate with forward Harry McGrath in fine form but unable to shake off a persistent Bridport backline and the linesman’s flag.

A double save by Bash keeper Jason Collins kept their lead intact when he heroically blocked a fierce drive and beat out the follow-up shot.

Bridport opened the second half with intent and were unlucky not to score early on. The visitors stumbled 10 minutes in when McGrath beat the offside trap and cannoned the ball home from the right-hand side of the box.

The home side now took charge and with 20 minutes to play sealed the game when Harry Morgan took over McGrath’s mantle by breaking through the middle and giving the Bees’ keeper Scott Wells-Burr no chance.

Bashley will now face Lymington Town in the next round.

Bashley FC: Collins, Dathan, Smith, Strickland, Morris, Thompson, Webber, Morgan, McGrath, Whiteley, Prior. Used subs: Aimson, Bunce, Gould.