Match report by Stuart Broom

Despite equalising with an early contender for "Goal of the Season", Bridport were left chasing shadows as Helston Athletic confirmed their arrival in their first ever game at Step 5 following promotion to the Western League Premier Division, with a stunning performance at St Mary's in the opening game of the season.

True the Bees were hit by the loss of four players due to a positive Covid-19 test earlier in the week, but the Cornishmen simply outplayed their hosts all over the field.

After an even start with both sides probing for openings, the visitors took the lead when winger Matty Buchan held off Ryan Gall down the left flank to cut inside, and fire an angled shot under Will Butler at his near post after 12 minutes.

However, Bridport were level within 90 seconds when Riley Weedon, given space, unleashed a superb 35-yard shot that flew beyond Blues keeper Marco Rodovanovic into the top left corner.

Not downhearted, Helston continued to attack, making full use of the width of the pitch and they went ahead midway through the half when Harrison Jewell pounced on a poor clearance from Riley Greenwood-Neate. He played in Phil Cattran, who fired across Butler inside the far post.

A minute later Reay almost added another but his goalbound shot struck Buchan and deflected on to a post. However, Buchan then became provider just after the half hour when he fed Kai Cornish who turned Greenwood-Neate before scoring in identical fashion to Cattran.

Now fully in control, Helston turned the screw and two minutes later Ryan Turner and Buchan combined with the latter adding a fourth with another angled shot across the keeper.

Helston continued to dominate after the break, moving the ball swiftly and accurately and it was no surprise when four minutes in, Buchan collected a long cross from Jewell on the edge of the box, waltzed past two defenders and curled his shot around Butler to complete his hat-trick and give the visitors an unassailable 5-1 lead.

Game effectively over, play became a bit static, but on 73 minutes Cornish gave the travelling supporters more to cheer as he pounced on a loose ball to thump home a 20 yard left-foot volley.

The scoring was completed seven minutes from time when sub Billy Tucker ran at a retreating defence before slipping in fellow replacement Stuart Bowker who thrashed the ball home.

The Bees were even denied a late consolation when Riley's spectacular scissor-kick was brilliantly turned over the top by Rodovanovic who otherwise won't have a much easier debut, having only been signed the night before.

Bridport manager Rob Marquis now has to pick his side up before Tuesday's game at Shepton Mallett, and hope that he will be able to welcome back the four sidelined players to bolster his side.