Somerset County Premier

Fry Club 0, Bridgwater Tn res 0

BRIDGWATER manager Luke Buckingham was pleased with his side’s ‘solid’ performance as they played out a stalemate at third-placed Fry Club on Saturday.

The reserves put in a strong away performance in their first match of 2015 and came away with a fully-deserved point – and Buckingham was satisfied with the result against an ‘organised team’.

He said: “Despite it being 0-0, it was an entertaining game of football against a well organised team.

“Since we beat Fry’s 2-0 at home, they’ve gone on a run of nine wins in ten games, so we always knew it was going to be a difficult game.

“We played some neat football at times but most pleasingly we looked very solid as a team and that is a credit to all the players.”

Despite the difficult, blustery conditions, both teams adopted a neat passing style of play in the early exchanges but Bridgwater lost right back Callum Laird after only five minutes due to an ankle injury.

This saw the introduction of 17-year-old Charlie Bridges with Josh Champion reverting to his more familiar right back role.

Fry’s had the first clear chance of the game after an incisive move down the left led to a cross across the face of the goal but no one was on the end of it.

This rallied Bridgwater and they created a flurry of half-chances with Andy Venning twice and, shortly after, Chris Young missing the target.

Just before half-time Fry’s had their best chance of the game when the Bridgwater defence failed to pick up at the far post but young goalkeeper Josh Hayward was on hand to make a smart save.

The second-half was a largely even affair with Fry’s having some good possession but they failed to break down a stubborn Bridgwater back line with centre back Connor O’Neill particularly impressing.

Bridgwater had their best chance of the game with 15 minutes remaining when the pacy Lee Villis broken down the left and drove into the box but his square pass was well cleared by a last-ditch block.