Premier First Division Cup

St George Easton-in-Gordano 1, Bridgwater Town Reserves 2

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves manager Luke Buckingham was “disappointed” with his side’s performance, despite seeing them progress into the quarter-finals of the Premier/First Division Cup at St George Easton-in-Gordano on Saturday.

John Matthews and Kenzie Farnham scored either side of half-time to book Town’s place in the last eight – but Buckingham said the performance was below par.

He said: “As a team, we were disappointed with our performance today and the atmosphere in the changing rooms after the game was very subdued.

“We’ve set ourselves such high standards in recent weeks and we failed to reach them today, but we found a way to win the game.

“It was a good test against a very physical and aggressive team on a difficult pitch, but it’s another bit of valuable experience for the young players."

Bridgwater started brightly but the small heavy pitch made it difficult for them to implement their usual passing style.

They went in front after 17 minutes when Gordano failed to deal with a John Matthews cross and Kenzie Farnham was in the right place to force the ball home from close range.

Bridgwater nearly doubled their lead shortly after, when 16-year-old striker Harry Fitchew blazed over the bar from six yards.

This stirred the home side and Bridgwater struggled to deal with their physical and direct style of play – and the scores were level after half an hour when Bridgwater failed to deal with a ball into the box, leaving the Gordano striker unmarked to fire past Josh Hayward in the Bridgwater goal.

The home side should have gone in front just before half-time when a rash challenge by Andy Venning led to a penalty but the Gordano midfielder saw his strike rebound off the post.

Moments after the restart, Gordano had a glorious chance to go in front but their number 10 scuffed his shot wide when one-on-one with Hayward.

The game became very scrappy with the pitch beginning to cut up badly and neither side were able to pass the ball with any quality.

Bridgwater went in front again with 20 remaining after excellent work from 16-year-old substitute Charlie White down the right hand side led to Josh Champion crossing the ball from the touchline; the ball was cleared to the edge of the box and John Matthews powerfully volleyed the ball home.

Gordano threw caution to the wind in the closing stages and laid siege to the Bridgwater goal.

In the final minute of the game the home side looked to have forced extra-time but full-back Lewis Hembery was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

l Bridgwater Reserves are back in league action on Saturday when they entertain Minehead Town (ko 3pm).