EvoStik Division 1 S&W

Poole Town 2, Bridgwater Town 1

TWO second half goals denied Bridgwater three points on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at table toppers Poole Town.

Within the first minute, Craig Veal had hit the post from close range but the early pressure paid off moments later when Jon Vance was brought down on the left, took the free-kick and found Bradley Middleton whose header struck the arm of the defender to concede a penalty.

Veal made no mistake from the spot scoring into the bottom corner.

Bridgwater came desperately close to doubling that lead when they could not force the ball home from a goal mouth melee.

They did have the ball in the net but celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled offside.

Throughout the first half Bridgwater remained on top with most of the play and the midfield of Vance, Legg and Mountford dictating the match.

Dave Pearse also looked lively up front and was twice denied by the home side's keeper to keep the scores 1-0 at half-time.

The second half saw a dramatic turnaround for the home side as Devlin found Kelly who levelled the scores up when his shot just inside the box on 52 minutes sailed in.

Three minutes later, Bridgwater keeper Luke Purnell appeared to have his legs taken from him when jumping for a long ball into the box but the referee adjudged it a fair challenge and the Poole forward poked the ball in.

From there, Bridgwater's momentum was sapped from them as Poole dominated the rest of the match and continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Next week, the team are in FA Trophy action against Southern League Premier side Hemel Hempstead Town at Fairfax Park. Kick-off is 3pm.

Team: Purnell, P Veal, Middleton, McGrath, Thomas, Mountford, C Veal (Simpson 63), Legg, Vance, Fitzpatrick (Mercieca 57), Pearse.

Subs not used: Viney, Chamberlain, Rice