BRIDGWATER Town co-manager Dave Pearse described the first half display in the win at Hallen last Saturday as “in the top three or four performances of the season”.

The Robins went ahead through Jack Taylor in the first half, with Mike Duffy adding the decisive second three minutes after the restart, and Pearse was pleased with the resilience shown in the closing stages.

Reflecting on the victory, he said: “We played really, really well and showed two sides to our game.

“In the first half we were brilliant, passing the ball around really nicely, and all the lads looked really confident despite the run we had been on.

“We had to dig deep in the second half as, to be fair to Hallen, they had us camped in our own half for the last half an hour and we couldn’t get out.

“It was satisfying to see it out and nice to protect a lead.

"Often it has been us chasing the game, so it was pleasing to be on the other side of it and show that we are capable of being physical and hard to break down.”

Town’s victory in Bristol lifted them to eighth in the table, with the Robins having won 10 and lost 10 of their 22 fixtures so far.

That is evidence of the inconsistency which has kept them from challenging right at the top end - there is now a seven-point cushion separating the top four from the rest of the league - and Pearse is hoping his side can now kick on.

“We’ve thrown too many points away so far,” he said.

“I think losing 10 games by this stage is too many, but it’s our first season together and there is a long way to go."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's match at home to Clevedon Town, Pearse added: “We had a full bench on Saturday and we’ve got Ryan Burrows back this weekend [to add to competition up front].”

“We played with two up front on Saturday - myself and Jack - and it just seems to work having two up there.

“Jack works so hard for the team - I’m not saying others don’t, but he does add that bit extra.

“Clevedon are one place above us, then we have two of the bottom three in successive games after that.

“That makes Saturday a big game - if we win that we have a real chance of breaking into that top six.

"It’s certainly vital that we don’t lose it.”

Kick-off is 3pm at Fairfax Park tomorrow.

Saturday fixtures

Toolstation Western League Premier Division - Bridgwater Town v Clevedon Town (ko 3pm)

Somerset County League Premier Division - Middlezoy Rovers v Nailsea United (ko 2pm)

Sunday fixtures

Somerset FA Junior Cup - Middlezoy Rovers Ladies v Frome Town Ladies (ko 1.45pm)

Somerset County Women's League Division 1 - Wembdon Ladies v Berrow Ladies (ko 2pm)