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.