Evo-Stik League Southern Division One.

Fleet Town 0, Bridgwater Town 1

A GOAL scored as early as the third minute proved to be the only one of the game as Bridgwater beat struggling Fleet on Saturday, writes Eddie Robinson.

Dean Griffiths had already had a shot at goal, when he was brought down just outside the area, within the first few minutes, and Kyle Tooze found the bottom corner with the free kick.

On ten minutes Bridgwater were awarded a penalty - Tom Knighton ran onto Griffiths' through ball and was brought down by the keeper.

But Knighton's penalty was placed too close to the keeper, who saved low to his left.

There was plenty to admire about Bridgwater's play, one good passing move ended with an ambitious thirty five yard drive from Jack Allward, which still needed saving at the expense of a corner.

Bridgwater's defence was looking very solid and Fleet never had a real sight of goal.

On 26 minutes, Griffiths receiving from Knighton, spotted the supporting run of Alex Grimshaw and a clever back-heel played the ball into the path of the full back, whose twelve yard shot was pushed onto the crossbar by the home keeper.

Bridgwater continued on top with wide men, Tooze and Griffiths, taking turns to support Knighton down the middle.

There was an air of confidence about their passing with youngsters Ollie Chamberlain and James Byrne playing well in midfield.

The last five minutes of the half coincided with Fleet's first spell of pressure and they had to wait until the 43rd minute for their first shot at goal from French, the one home player to catch the eye.

Bridgwater resumed on top in the second half, when two bursts from midfield by the hard running O'Hare set up chances for Griffiths.

How the margin remained a single goal was something of a mystery, especially as Fleet were reduced to ten men after 51 minutes, when Carr picked up two cautions within the space of three minutes.

Seeing plenty of the ball, Bridgwater forwards, were if anything guilty of over elaboration seeking the perfect finish.

They continued to dominate, winning a host of corners without being able to add to their score despite efforts from Tooze, Knighton, McNab and O'Hare.

With such a slender lead there is always a chance of being caught out with a sucker punch, and to their credit Fleet came to life in the last five minutes to try and salvage an unlikely point, Nathan Rudge had to do some defending.

They were unsuccessful leaving Bridgwater to reflect that they have gathered many more points on their travels than at Fairfax Park.