BRIDGWATER Town manager Dave Pearse is confident that his side can make life difficult for their high-flying neighbours Taunton Town in Saturday’s derby at Fairfax Park.

The Robins go into the match still looking for their first league points of 2017, which will be hard to come by against a team sitting pretty in second and already guaranteed of a play-off spot.

Pearse, however, thinks that could work in his side’s favour.

"There is no pressure on us, as our fate is sealed, whereas they still want to finish second,” he said.

"We have to make sure we are up for it, which I’m sure we will be, and it is up to us to go out there and try and upset them.”

Town gave a good account of themselves in August’s reverse fixture at the Viridor Stadium and looked as if they would return with a point before being denied by a late Ollie Chamberlain strike.

"They are a very good side, but a few of the lads have spoken about how we matched them at their place earlier on in the season and I see no reason why we can't do that again,” Pearse said.

"We need to make sure we don't melt down like we did on Saturday [the 3-0 defeat at Bishops Cleeve], as that would be fatal. Taunton will punish us if we collapse like we did last weekend."

To follow the derby as it happens, check out our live matchday blog here at bridgwatermercury.co.uk/sport on Saturday afternoon.