WANTAGE Town overtook the Robins on Saturday following their victory at Fairfax Park and relegated them to bottom place in the league and the prospect of Western League football next season is becoming more real, writes Kerry Miller.

Craig Laird’s side included a second appearance from teenage keeper Liam Kingston - the eighth keeper Bridgwater have fielded already this campaign but, despite a battling performance, defensive mistakes and a poor final pass proved to be a double whammy from which they could not recover.

Wantage arrived looking for their first league win after 15 attempts but, by the 15th minute, they were 2-0 up and rarely in danger from then on.

Town started well enough with Torquay-based new boy Jamie Chamberlain seeing his shot deflected wide by Jake Horsey and Kingston coming to the rescue when Mason Thompson was sent clear, only to see the youngster pull off a superb save.

It didn’t last as Dan Sadler launched a huge cross to the far post where James Glover was unmarked to guide his header across Kingston for the opener.

The Robins still went forward but the final pass was not there, despite the constant grafting of Tyne Govier and Ollie Harris down the right and Wantage sensed there were more goals... they were not wrong.

Again, the home defence got into a tangle in midfield and Wantage skipper Mark Francis ran from halfway to drill the second past Kingston.

Govier then slung over another long cross which Chamberlain volleyed over from six yards out and the full-back then set up Horsey but his effort was saved by Wantage keeper Ed Cavanagh.

Town were creating chances despite the deficit but Chamberlain had an effort cleared off the line by Sadler, who then was involved at the other end when Thompson shot over just on the break.

The teams were still battling away but neither were helped by the poor pitch as it nullified much of the passing football.

Laird then looked to change things as George Sinnott was introduced and he was to influence much of the rest of the game.

Govier nodded wide from Syd Camper’s cross but the home defence were still finding ways to give themselves headaches and Todd Hathaway was allowed to escape, but he shot just wide from a good position.

For a brief moment it looked as though it could be a costly miss as Sinnott’s corner was cleared but rebounded in off Camper with 25 minutes still left.

Wantage began to fall deeper into defence but they were always dangerous on the break and, after Hathaway had spurned a good chance, substitute Aaron Ferris took advantage of more chaos in midfield and Jared Jones put him through for the third goal and the points were secure.

Town still battled and, from Sinnott’s corner, Harry Harris volleyed home to make it 3-2 with two minutes left.

Wantage held on and Bridgwater now face the less-than-appealing prospect of the visit of unbeaten league leaders Hereford on Saturday.

Bridgwater - Liam Kingston, Tyne Govier, Ben Palmer, Greg Andrews, Callum Laird, Aiden Jones, Harry Horton, Ollie Morris, Jake Horsey, Lamie Chamberlain, Syd Camper. Subs: George Kellow, George Sinnott, Elliot Ripley, Will Sneddon-Coombes, Jack Goodall.