Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 1
Bridgwater 3, Firebrands B 1

BRIDGWATER men’s 1st XI continued their winning start to the season against Firebrands 3rds.

Todd Barrett nearly opened the scoring after 30 seconds but was denied by an exceptional save from the keeper.

Bridgwater dominated play but couldn’t grab the goal in the first half.

They looked the livelier of the two sides after the break and, only two minutes in, left back Lewis Coad found himself in the perfect position to bag his first goal for the first team.

Ash Woolmington made it 2-0 only five minutes later, with captain Duncan Morrish later making it three.

Despite conceding a goal late on, Bridgwater ran out deserved winners.

Seven players received votes for player of the match but the winner was Todd Barrett.

West Central 1
Old Bristolians A 6, Bridgwater A 0

BRIDGWATER 2nds found themselves at Old Bristolians for a second week running.

The game started late in the rain and led to a different dynamic to last week’s game.

But when Old Bs scored an early goal with a fast breakaway, it was a sign of things to come.

Even though Bridgwater did have periods of possession, they did not capitalise on them.

The score at half time was 3-0 but it could have been 3-3 or 6-0 - it was a topsy-turvy game.

The second half was a similar story with both teams having their chances but only one team taking them, leaving the final score as 6-0 to Old Bristolians.

Man of the match want to Dan Buller for his strong performance at the back.

West Central 2
Mendip B 1, Bridgwater C 2

BRIDGWATER went top of the early table following this, their second straight victory.

And it was a close game but they deserved their win with goals coming through Steve Wilson and player of the match Tom Lott.

Tyler Coleman also impressed on his third team debut.

South East 2
Bridgwater C 3, Teign A 2

THE 4ths’ game also saw a debut and a one-goal margin of victory.

Oscar West made his first appearance for the 4s - having only played his first senior game of hockey the week before.

Bridgwater always looked in control against a strong side.

All three were bagged by Bridgwater legend Steve Turvey – one of which was a beautiful deflection into the back of the net (from the centre of the goal line) from a Jon Brockwell strike.

Bridgwater 5ths’ match at home to Sidmouth & Ottery 5ths was cancelled as the visitors couldn’t raise a side.

***

West Club’s Women’s League
Central Division
Taunton Civil Service 1, Bridgwater 1

BRIDGWATER Ladies put in a highly disciplined performance against newly-promoted Taunton CS.

In the first half the team conceded a breakaway goal but finished the half strongly.

They started the second half well, creating chances and forcing multiple short corners which were denied by a strong CS goalkeeper. 

Their reward came when a well-placed ball into the D by captain Lucy Burridge enabled Sapphy Reed-Yang to hammer it home, ending the match in a 1-1 draw. 

Player of the match was Laura Coles.

Bridgwater are are looking forward to their first home game of the season next week, against Clifton.

Sedgemoor Division 2
Winscombe 5, Bridgwater 2nds 4

BRIDGWATER travelled to Winscombe and were edged out in a nine-goal thriller.

They were a goal down after ten minutes due to a quick break but with some pressing play from Tracey Gue, Willow Hobbs and Rose Baker,

Bridgwater had several shots with Clare Wilson taking a shot on the rebound and hitting the top of the net. 

Jess Shobbrook scored the second goal and notched her second shortly after.

Winscombe continued to attack and pulled a goal back before half-time.

The second half saw Bridgwater under a lot of pressure and Winscombe were quick to equalise. 

Jenny Hayden-Briffet and Kashi Morrish put in some good defensive work but Winscombe went in front from a short corner. 

Sue Durkin making some good saves but was unlucky when Winscombe scored from their second short corner.

Bridgwater didn’t give up and Willow Hobbs scored Bridgwater’s fourth, but they ran out of time.

Player of the match votes were shared between nine players; the winners were Niamh Dillon and Clare Wilson.