BRIDGWATER Town co-manager Dave Pearse is hoping for an improvement on Saturday after last week’s “horrific” display at Hengrove.

The 1-0 away defeat last Wednesday evening, with the only goal coming nine minutes from time, means the Robins will play no further part in this year’s Somerset FA Premier Cup.

Reflecting on the result, Pearse said: “We were horrific - it was just a bad night all round.

“We had a few chances in the first half but we were terrible in the second half, which was disappointing given how good we had been against Buckland on the Saturday.

“A couple of reserve players were given a chance, and they played pretty well, but collectively we were poor and it’s up to the players to pick themselves up and get back to how we played last weekend.”

When asked whether motivation could have been a problem given the lesser status of the competition, Pearse replied: “There may have been an element of that.

“Karl and I wanted to go far, but it wasn’t easy up there in midweek on a terrible pitch and it’s not a nice place to play.”

Town’s focus now switches to another cup competition, the FA Vase, and another journey into uncharted territory.

Already this season the Robins have travelled to Gosport Borough in the FA Cup and St Austell in the previous round of the Vase, and more miles will be racked up this weekend as they head into the New Forest.

Looking ahead to the tie, Pearse said: “They have had a similar start to us in terms of inconsistency; like us, they will win one or two then lose a couple.

“They have been a strong side in the past and were only recently relegated from the Southern League, so we are expecting a tough game but are confident we can progress.

“We have to be on it from the first whistle as we were against Buckland.

“It’s a trip into the unknown and we don’t know too much about them, but we have a few players coming back and will have a strong team out.”

There will be an enforced change in the Bridgwater frontline as in-form striker Jack Taylor is cup tied, having already played in the competition this season for Wellington.

Fortunately for the Robins, Ryan Burrows is available again to fill the void, while fellow striker Syd Camper is back from a holiday.

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ALSO this weekend, Bridgwater Town Reserves entertain Nailsea United at Fairfax Park on Saturday (ko 3pm).

The Robins Reserves are 16th in the Somerset County League Premier Division table (second from bottom), with Nailsea United eighth.

In the same division, fifth-placed Middlezoy Rovers are away to Shirehampton, who are 11th (ko 3pm).

On Sunday, Wembdon Ladies - fourth in the Somerset County Women's League Division 1 standings - travel to Purnell Sports, who are sixth (ko 2pm).

South West Women's League Premier Division leaders Middlezoy Rovers Ladies are without a game this weekend, but host Bishops Lydeard Ladies on October 29.