BRIDGWATER Town co-manager Dave Pearse is seeing Saturday's Western League Premier Division clash at Brislington as a "must-win" after a tricky couple of weeks.

The Robins saw their FA Vase run ended by Melksham after a replay before losing 3-0 at home to promotion-chasing Willand Rovers at Fairfax Park last weekend.

Reflecting on that result, Pearse said: “For the first 10 or 15 minutes we were the better side – if we’d scored then it’s a different game.

“Once they scored they used their experience to see it out.

“They have been together as a side for two or three years, as have a lot of the top teams, whereas we have been together a matter of months – this time next year, we should be at the level they are at.

“It was a learning curve for us - we have to be able to adapt our gameplan and make use of a plan B, which we are still getting to grips with.”

This weekend's clash against Brislington is Town's third match against the Bristol-based side this season.

The Robins won 1-0 in August’s FA Cup meeting before losing 2-0 in the league a fortnight later, and Pearse is expecting a challenging clash this weekend.

“We know what to expect having played them twice already, but it’s always a very tough place to go,” he said.

“Our confidence has looked shaky in the last two defeats, which is strange after a run of seven wins, so we’ll be reminding the players of what they are capable of.

“It’s time we started another run going - I see Saturday as a must-win.”

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves have suffered two defeats over the course of the past week.

After being knocked out of the Somerset County League Premier & First Division Cup last Saturday courtesy of a 2-1 defeat at Watchet Town, the Robins were beaten 3-1 at home by Fry Club on Wednesday evening.

Town's second string are without a game in the Somerset County League Premier Division this weekend, but Middlezoy are in action.

Zoy, sitting sixth in the table, travel to basement side Wells City Reserves looking for a victory which could take them into the top five.