Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Bridgwater Town 2, Westbury United 1

BRIDGWATER Town moved up to second in the table after a vital win over promotion rivals Westbury United at Fairfax Park on Saturday.

All three goals came in the first half, and the Robins - without suspended star striker Jack Taylor - broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Jake Brown wriggled free of a couple of challenges and found the net.

Jake Viney was called into action to repel a couple of visiting attacks and, slightly against the run of play, Town doubled their lead from the spot six minutes before the break.

Brown was involved again, his trickery drawing the foul, and Jake Llewellyn dispatched the penalty into the top corner to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

They didn't get to enjoy it for long, however, as the visitors hit back before the interval.

Westbury had already seen one header cleared off the line but they were not to be denied in the 44th minute when Callum Demkiv rose highest to plant his effort out of Viney's reach.

The second half lacked the goalmouth action of the first, with Westbury enjoying the bulk of the ball and Bridgwater defending stoutly.

United's best effort came when George Bendle took aim from 35 yards having spotted Viney off his line, but the goalkeeper just about managed to backtrack and keep the audacious effort out.

Llewellyn could have sealed the win only to see his shot saved, but Town rode out the six minutes of injury time to secure a valuable three points.

Bridgwater have played more games than the sides around them, but the points they already have on the board is keeping them in the promotion picture.

Next up for the Robins is a home game against Hallen next Saturday (3pm).

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Kurt Robinson, Josh Gracie, Josh White, George Painter, Ian Bellinger (Dave Pearse 76), Harry Horton, Patrick O'Halloran (Mark Armstrong 85), Jake Brown, Jake Llewellyn.

Attendance: 237