BRIDGWATER Town's first team are without a game this weekend, leaving the reserve side to take centre stage as they welcome Clutton in the Somerset County League Premier Division (3pm).

The side travelled to Odd Down on Tuesday (September 5) for one of their most distant trips of the season and returned with a point from the 1-1 draw.

Town were aiming to continue their recent positive form following wins over Shirehampton and Milborne Port, but were without key players Lee Villis, Ash Tandy and Callum Ham from Saturday’s win.

The game began evenly as both teams enjoyed possession without creating serious chances. 

Town did trouble the home side with dangerous free kicks and corners but failed to capitalise on the superb deliveries from Scott Merritt and Lewis Hembery. 

On 30 minutes, Odd Down scored to take a 1-0 advantage following poor defending from the visitors - a deep free kick was met by an unmarked glancing header which hit the post and was tucked away on the rebound. 

Despite going behind, Town continued to move the ball quickly and create chances in front of the Odd Down goal. 

Shortly after conceding, good work from Andy Venning down the right side found Jamie Howson, who was brilliantly denied by the home ‘keeper with his shot destined for the top corner. 

Town were under pressure on the stroke of half time, failing to deal with the raw pace of Odd Down’s Kyle Norris and Adam Bouchama. 

However, good recovering tackles from the defence and a good save from Paul Goss ensured the deficit was only 1-0 at the interval.

After the restart, Town continued to attack the Odd Down goal but no real chances materialised until the 75th minute, when Will Sneddon-Combes picked up the ball from deep and hit a rasping shot from 35 yards that just skimmed the Odd Down crossbar. 

Ten minutes later the equalising goal came from captain Lewis Hembery, his sixth of the season, as his free-kick sailed into the top corner.

Following this late strike, it was the visitors who looked like securing the win, putting the home defence under pressure and forcing a series of errors, but Merritt and Sneddon-Combes both saw efforts blocked as the spoils were shared.

Afterwards, manager Dan Wright said: "Tonight was a more than deserved point away from home. 

"We had to make a few changes to the squad from our win on Saturday and, in doing so, asked a couple of players to play out of position. 

"Nonetheless, those lads did brilliantly, demonstrating excellent versatility, which will serve the team well as the season progresses. 

"We were resilient in defence bar the goal, which we are annoyed about, but other than that we were great.

"We look forward to kicking on again with home fixtures against Clutton and Ilminster on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively."

ELSEWHERE in the division, Middlezoy Rovers travel to Stockwood Green.

Zoy have made a solid start to their 2017/18 campaign, with two wins and just one defeat from their opening five matches, and sit sixth going into the weekend.

Their opponents are 13th and yet to win so far this season.