Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Bridgwater Town 2, Odd Down 1

JACK Taylor proved Bridgwater Town's match-winner once again this season, as his second-half goal saw off Odd Down on Saturday and kept his side at the top of the Premier Division standings.

The Bath-based visitors arrived at Fairfax Park off the back of five straight wins, but the hosts started better, and deserved the opening goal which came on 12 minutes.

Tom Ellis wound up a long throw – a real weapon for the Robins this season – and his accurate delivery was headed in by Lee Begg from just a few yards out.

But the away side drew level 10 minutes later, against the run of play, as Ash McGrane stunned the home crowd with a 25-yard half-volley which flew past Jake Viney.

There were few chances for the remainder of the first half, as poor passing and frequent stoppages took their toll on the quality of the game, and so the sides went in at 1-1 at half time.

There was little sign that much had changed in the early stages of the second half, only for the Robins to grab the game by the scruff of the neck after the hour mark.

First, Harry Horton saw a header from an Ellis throw tipped over the top, and then the decisive goal arrived in the 65th minute.

Taylor had not been in the game that much, but he read an early left-wing cross from Ian Bellinger, and sent a low left-footed effort into the corner of the net from 10 yards out.

Now that Taylor had come to life, he looked like adding to his tally, with a mazy dribble ending with a shot flashing wide, and another effort being blocked by goalkeeper George Dorrington.

Charlie White headed over from Jake Llewellyn's cross, and then youngster Patrick O’Halloran skewed his shot wide in front of an open goal after more good work from Taylor.

Those missed chances mattered not – though the hosts were grateful to see a late header from an Odd Down free-kick brush the outside of the post on its way behind – and the three points went to Bridgwater, keeping them ahead of Westbury United at the league summit.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Kurt Robinson, Mark Armstrong, Lee Begg, Tom Ellis, Ian Bellinger (Charlie White 78), Sam Towler, Jack Taylor, Harry Horton (Patrick O’Halloran 78), Jake Brown (Jake Llewellyn 70).
Attendance: 253

Bridgwater's next match is this coming Friday, at home to Cribbs (ko 8pm).