Calor League Division One South & West

Mangotsfield 2, Bridgwater Town 1

TWO second-half goals condemned Bridgwater Town to a 2-1 defeat at Mangotsfield on New Year’s Day, writes Eddie Robinson.

Karl Tooze fired the Robins into a second minute lead, but a sloppy second-half display saw the hosts score twice to secure the points.

Bridgwater got off to the perfect start as Karl Tooze flew down the left beat the full back, checked back before crossing into the middle where Bushin had timed his run perfectly to side foot the ball into the bottom corner after two minutes.

With a strong wind behind them, Bridgwater remained on top - Tooze was a constant threat down the left whilst Bushin’s flicked on headers bought Tooze and Knighton into play.

Bridgwater midfield was being bypassed but behind them, the defence looked very solid as manager Rich Fey is benefitting from selecting a settled side.

On numerous occasions, the ball caught on the strong wind, sailed harmlessly through to the keeper or over the goal line.

Tooze continued to stretch the home defence and Bushin and Knighton were denied by last ditch defending – and Scott Thomas had a shot cleared off the line.

Mangotsfield’s one chance of the half fell to Powell but he was forced wide by the onrushing Ben John giving Grimshaw the chance to get back and block his shot on the goal line.

Bridgwater went in at half-time a goal up, but it could and perhaps should have been more.

It was a totally different story in the second half right from the kick-off, Bridgwater were struggling. Mangotsfield with the wind at their backs, could have expected to be on top territorially, but all over the pitch they were the better side.

Their midfield won all the 50/50 balls as Bridgwater’s passing lacked accuracy, whilst balls pumped up to the front pair were gobbled up by strong central defenders. Full-back Shipp was making a much better effort of containing Tooze and Bridgwater had no other outlet.

It was no real surprise that goals from Bath and Powell won the game for the home side.

Town: John, Grimshaw Thomas, Allen, Allward, Robertson (Byrne 65), O’Hare (Welling 81), Chamberlain, Bushin, Knighton, Tooze (McNab 81)