Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 1
Somerset Gryphons 2, Bridgwater 2

BRIDGWATER started the better of the two sides, dominating the early exchanges against a side still unbeaten so far, and Todd Barrett buried a half-volley to put his side 1-0 up.

Despite their dominance of the first 20 minutes, a second goal didn’t materialise and Gryphons bagged an equaliser with only five minutes of the half left.

Gryphons then dominated the second half, but Bridgwater keeper Pete Saunders kept his side in the game.

After conceding with less than 10 minutes to go, Bridgy were staring at defeat, but they showed great spirit and kept fighting until the end.

With less than two minutes remaining, captain Duncan Morrish powered a reverse strike through the keeper’s legs to ensure Bridgwater came away with a point.

Player of the match: Pete Saunders and Duncan Morrish

West Central 1
Bridgwater A 8, Firebrands D 6

TOM Lott scored six times as Bridgwater A edged a 14-goal thriller against Firebrands.

Lott scored a five-minute hat-trick to put Bridgwater up 3-1 up with less than 10 minutes played.

With Kieran Wood bagging the fourth and Lott adding his fourth and fifth, Bridgwater seemed to be cruising at 6-1.

Firebrands pulled two back to make the score 6-3, but through a goal from Alex Howe and Lott’s sixth, Bridgwater were then 8-3 up.

A spirited comeback from Firebrands brought them back to 8-6, but the five-goal cushion Bridgwater had built was enough to keep them on top.

POM: Alex Howe

West Central 2
North Somerset B v Bridgwater B - abandoned

SADLY this game was abandoned after only 15 minutes due to floodlight failure at North Somerset – the score at the time was 0-0.

South East 2
Bridgwater C 4, West Dorset A 2

BRIDGWATER C returned to winning ways against a strong but young West Dorset side.

Despite their inexperience, the opposition were hugely skilful and exerted a lot of pressure on Bridgwater.

The experience of Bridgwater shone through in the end, with two goals apiece from Ben Sims and Steve Turvey.

POM: Oscar West

South East 3
Bridgwater D 1, Minehead B 3

THE men’s 5ths put in a spirited performance but ended up losing 3-1 to second-placed Minehead.

It was a fairly even start, with both keepers tested, but it was Minehead who broke the deadlock.

Bridgwater didn’t start the second half well as they let the more experienced side grab control of the game.

Some fine saves kept them at bay, as did a determined backline, but it was inevitable that Minehead would score more and they were soon 3-0 up.

A moment of brilliance from Nikita Cernikovs then put him one-on-one with the keeper and, after his first effort was saved, he scored from the rebound.

In the last five minutes Bridgwater came to life, and if there was more time on the clock they certainly could have got something from the game.

POM: Toby Knight, Nikita Cernikovs and Pete Cammish.

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Bridgwater 3, Weston-super-Mare 4

THIS was an end-to-end match against a talented Weston side.

Bridgwater’s first goal came from an excellent drag flick from player of the match Charlie Lewis aided by Heidi Martin, the second from a textbook set piece from Lucy Burridge and Sapphy Reed-Yang, and the third from Annabelle Jay.

It was a spirited team performance, and the team hope to bounce back on Saturday away to Old Bristolians.

Sedgemoor Division 2
Minehead 2nds 1, Bridgwater 2nds 9

THE Ladies 2nds returned to winning ways with a sublime victory against Minehead.

Bridgwater started the game strongly and were finally rewarded for their persistence with Danni Morgan scoring her first of the season.

This was closely followed by goals from Kate Ward and Clare Wilson as Bridgwater took a 3-0 lead into the break.

The visitors relaxed a little at the start of the second half and Minehead scored from one of their few attacks.

This pushed Bridgwater to adjust and their dominance told, with Morgan grabbing her second, Willow Hobbs scoring two and Jess Shobbrook and Lauren Morrish finishing the job for a thrilling 9-1 win.

POM: Danni Morgan