BRIDGWATER Town player-manager Dave Pearse has challenged his players to show they are worthy of a place in the starting XI between now and the end of the season.

The Robins saw last Saturday’s match at league leaders Willand Rovers called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

They return to action tonight at home to Clevedon Town (7.45pm), who lost 4-0 at home to mid-table Chipping Sodbury Town last weekend.

Town – who dropped down to fifth as a result of Plymouth Parkway’s 2-1 win at Bradford Town on Saturday – can extend their advantage over sixth-placed Clevedon to nine points with victory, and Pearse is aiming to rally his troops for the run-in.

“The two-week break didn’t help us – we have been a bit flat since and there is a bit of an ‘end of season’ feel to things even though there are 12 games left,” Pearse said.

“It is up to Karl [Baggaley] and I to lift the players.

"We will remind them we are still in a good position and we want to finish in the top four.

“We have a massive squad now so there is a lot of competition for places.

“We have a lot of big games left – we go away to Willand, Westbury and Plymouth Parkway and have a Les Phillips Cup quarter-final at Calne Town, the sort of games players should be wanting to play.

“It is up to the players to try and get in the team for those games and show us what they can do.”

Pearse will miss tonight’s match through injury, as will Mike Duffy – the midfielder has picked up a knock on his knee having returned to first-team action a fortnight ago.

“It is a blow for us and Mike, but we still have plenty of midfield options,” said Pearse.

“Joe Swift has settled in well and Carl Jones has given us the option of playing 4-4-2 with two strikers.

“It is really important for us to carry on our unbeaten run this weekend.”

This is Town’s second Friday night match of the season, following a 1-1 draw with Cribbs at Fairfax Park in November.

“It is always nice playing under the lights and the players should be up for it,” Pearse added.

“We had a good crowd when we did it before and we are hoping for another one this time – if we can push 300 or 320 that would be brilliant.”

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NEITHER Middlezoy Rovers nor Bridgwater Town Reserves have a match scheduled in the Somerset County League this weekend.

Middlezoy Rovers Reserves are in action, though, at home to Chew Magna tomorrow (ko 2.30pm), as they look to hold on top spot in Division 3.

On Sunday, Middlezoy Rovers Ladies welcome Marine Academy Plymouth to the Aerodrome (ko 2pm).