Southern League Division One S&W

Winchester City 7, Bridgwater Town 2

BRIDGWATER Town slumped to a thumping defeat at league new-boys Winchester City on the opening day of the football season on Saturday.

The Robins conceded five times in the first-half to trail 5-1 at the break, as Winchester’s Warren Bentley ran riot, netting all five of his side’s goals.

Bushin pulled one back before half-time and Reeko Best added a second after the break, but Harrison Fay and Zach Glasspool restored the home side’s advantage to condemn Bridgwater to a heavy defeat.

Winchester were rampant from the very first whistle and raced into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes, as Bentley struck twice.

The striker completed his hat-trick on 25 minutes, before adding a fourth and fifth before the half-time interval.

His fourth was a fine finish from a pin-point cross, while his fifth came courtesy of a penalty kick on 41 minutes.

Bushin opened Bridgy’s account four minutes later, but Winchester restored their five-goal lead 15 minutes into the second-half, as Glasspool made it six courtesy of some good work from a red-hot Bentley.

Bridgwater refused to give in and scored a second on 75 minutes, but Fay netted number seven five minutes before time to complete a miserable afternoon for Paul West’s side, who struggled to cope with the impressive Bentley.

The Robins will be hoping to bounce back in style when they take on local rivals Taunton Town at Fairfax Park tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm).

Somerset County Premier

Bridgwater Town Reserves 0, Nailsea and Tickenham 1

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves made a losing start to the new season in the Somerset County Premier Division, going down 1-0 at home to newly-formed Nailsea and Tickenham FC.

Substitute Dan Boulter scored the only goal of the game for the visitors.

Town Reserves travel to Yatton Athletic on Saturday (3pm).