Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 1
Bridgwater 6, Chippenham A 1

BRIDGWATER took on newly-promoted Chippenham 2nds in their first league match of the season and dominated the first half.

They were three up within five minutes, thanks to two goals from Will Pope and one from Adam Lowe.

Their dominance would continue throughout the first half, as Todd Barrett and captain Duncan Morrish grabbed a goal each to make it 5-0.

Just before the break, Pope was in the right place to tap the ball home and complete his hat-trick.

The second half highlighted the skill in the Chippenham side but Bridgwater keeper Pete Saunders had an incredible game and kept nearly everything that came his way out of the net; Chippenham only managing to score one goal.

Man of the match: Pete Saunders

West Central 1
Old Bristolians B 5, Bridgwater A 1

BRIDGWATER took a weakened side to Old Bristolians and let in two quick goals midway into the first half.

The visitors hit back through a breakaway from Aaron Turner, who squared it to Paul Bond at the back post to make it 2-1; keeper Dom Rauch also made a string of fine saves.

The visitors spent most of the second half on the back foot, conceding a further three goals.

Man of the match: Max Syvret

West Central 2
Bridgwater B 18, Mid Somerset A 0

THE quality of the 3rd XI shone through in this big win, as Dom Court, Tyler Fagan (2), Connor Gillespie (2), Connor Neal (3), Tom Lott (4) and Rich Payne (6) all scored.

Players of the match: Connor Gillespie and Rich Payne

South East 2
Taunton Vale D 2, Bridgwater Mens C 3

BRIDGWATER took on local rivals Taunton Vale and came home with all three points.

The experienced Steve Turvey and Mike Eele (2) got the goals.

Man of the match: Tyler Coleman

Bridgwater Mercury:

TUSSLE: Bridgwater C's Ian Stradling battles for possession. Pic: Steve Richardson

South East 3
Minehead B 3, Bridgwater D 2

BRIDGWATER’s youngsters narrowly lost after taking an early lead.

Jim Smith started well, finding Bertie Kelly and Nick Carter early on, with the former teeing up his brother Ted Kelly.

Will Baldwin and Reimer looked solid at the back and Stacey looking solid in the middle, while Nikita Cernikovs was helping marshal the middle of the pitch.

Bridgwater led through Nikita Cernikovs, but Minehead levelled.

Despite the heroics of keeper Mark Seaward, Minehead took a two-goal lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The younger Kelly got one back with three minutes left but they could not equalise.

Man of the match: Ted Kelly

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Firebrands 3rds 1, Bridgwater Ladies 1

BRIDGWATER put in a strong and gritty performance against a solid Firebrands side aft er conceding a well-worked goal in the first half.

Player of the match Amy Burridge had a stormer between the posts, keeping the half-time score to 1-0.

Bridgwater went out all guns blazing, winning multiple short corners, and eventually a goal came from none other than skipper Lucy Burridge.

Sedgemoor Division 2
Bridgwater Ladies 2nds 2, Sidmouth & Ottery 2nds 2

BRIDGWATER were up against a strong Sidmouth side on Saturday and Hilary McNeil, Miche Rushe, Rachel Higgs and Niamh Dillon had to be at their best in defence.

In attack, Clare Wilson, Kashi Morrish and Abbie Stevens looked lively and Danni Morgan then broke through the middle, putting an excellent pass through to Jess Shobbrook, who scored in the last few minutes of the half.

Sidmouth again started brightly but Bridgwater added to their lead after a combination of Rose Baker, Rushe and Wilson led to Shobbrook scoring her second of the game.

The visitors continued their attacking play and scored from two short corners in the closing 10 minutes of the game.

Player of the match: Sue Durkin