Evostik League Southern Division One South & West
Bridgwater Town 0, Winchester City 1

BRIDGWATER Town manager Phil Hucker was full of praise for his side after a battling 1-0 defeat at the hands of Winchester City on Saturday, writes Paul Martin.

A contentious second half penalty was enough for the visitors to claim victory at Fairfax Park, but Hucker was impressed with various aspects of his side's display.

"I thought we were excellent from back to front," he told the Mercury.

"The opposition coaches even said to me after the match that we were unlucky not to get something.

"We dug in, we worked hard, we passed the ball well and we looked a threat going forward," he added.

The day was also notable for the number of young, local players who featured for the Robins, with seven of the matchday squad having come through the Bridgwater & Taunton College system.

Bridgwater Mercury: Jake Horsey

SOLID: Centre-back Jake Horsey (above) was one of several Town players to impress against Winchester.

Introducing youth has been Hucker's mission statement since his arrival at Bridgwater, and he was also at pains to pay tribute to the quality of the support on show at the weekend.

"The fans were first class. To hear them giving positive remarks and praising us gives the players and I such a boost," he said.

"I cannot fault the players at all. Our commitment and work rate was spot on.

"Since I arrived they have all been in it together and, despite our league position, there is a buzz about the place."

Town had their chances against the play-off chasers, with Jake Horsey coming close in the first half and Matt Connick heading narrowly over late on.

The game was ultimately decided as a result of a soft penalty decision after a handball in the area, a decision which Hucker felt was a stroke of bad luck.

"The penalty was harsh, but when you are at the bottom of the table these things go against you," he said.

The fixture list does not get any easier for the Robins, who next weekend make the short trip to third-placed Tiverton Town.

Bridgwater Town: Liam Kingston, Tyne Govier, Jack Goodhall, Tom Richens, Jake Horsey, Mike Duffy, Will Sneddon-Coombes (Elliott Ripley 71), George Kellow, Syd Camper (Jordan Lovibond 66), Harry Horton, Matt Connick (Callum Laird).