Taunton & District League Division Four
Wiveliscombe 4, Bridgwater Grasshoppers 2
BRIDGWATER Grasshoppers player/manager Nathan Mead praised the battling nature of his side’s performance, despite seeing them slump to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Wiveliscombe.
Goals from Ollie Price-Bates (2), Ash Roberts and Todd Chappell gave Wivey a 4-0 lead with 25 minutes to play – but Hoppers refused to lie down and pulled two back through Dan Saunders.
Mead said: “This was a game where the other team took their chances well and we missed a few great ones.
“The game was played in a great spirit, end-to-end football with lots of chances for both teams.
“We should have gone in at half time level on scores but didn’t and Wivey ended up with a 4-0 lead with 25 minutes to go – but great respect to our team as we came back to 4-2 and their keeper pulled off some great saves to keep them in front.
“We kept battling all the way to the end and were unlucky not to get a draw.
“Some real positives to take from the game, not least a great team spirit – if we can be more ruthless in front of goal we'll have a good second half of the season.”
Price-Bates put Wivey in front early in the first-half with a neat finish, and Hoppers went close to levelling things up on a number of occasions.
Shortly after half-time, Wivey doubled their lead through PriceBates – and further strikes from Roberts and Chappell gave the visitors a mountain to climb.
But Hoppers continued to compete and Saunders’ double made for a nervy final period for the hosts.
Wivey captain Stuart Sinnott said: “We were missing both our captain and top goal scorer today so this was a good result.
“At 4-0 we were seemingly cruising but we missed some very good opportunities for further goals and also gave away two poor goals defensively, which made the last 15 a little uncomfortable.
“However that’s six wins in a row before our tough game next Saturday.”
The defeat leaves Bridgwater Grasshoppers second from bottom in Division Four, one point clear of basement side Middlezoy Athletic – they travel to sixth-place Porlock Reserves this weekend.
Player ratings - Bridgwater Grasshoppers
Anton Rossitter, 7 – Made some fine saves and had a busy afternoon.
Nathan Mead, 7 – Worked hard at left wing and then left back.
Alex Jackson, 7 – linked up well down the left, especially in the last 20 mins.
Mitch Robins, 7 – Centre-back had a solid game.
Neil Tottle – Didn’t play, instead froze on the sidelines, but a good centre back.
Shaun Ricketts, 7 – Centre-back that likes a slide tackle but wins the ball!
Karl Eastwood, 7 – Right wing, put a good shift in and put some good balls in. Unlucky not to score.
Nick Phillips, 7 – Came on as sub in centre mid and looked strong on the ball. Will shoot on sight!
Rob Adams, 7 – Played centre mid today, normally up front but had a good game. Should have had one goal.
Shane Thompson, 9 – Captain, tireless in defence and attack and made good chances. Unlucky not to score also!
Dan Saunders, 9 – Scored two goals, on another day could have had four. Man of the Match performance.
Leon Pillinger, 7 – Right back, played well against good opposition.
Rob Ellick, 7 – Centre mid that commits to the tackle and works hard to win the ball back for the team. Good game.
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