FA Cup preliminary round
Bridgwater Town 7, Brislington 0

HAT-TRICKS for Steve Murray and Jack Taylor led Bridgwater Town into the next round of the FA Cup, and earned revenge for the league defeat at Brislington on the opening day of the season.

After a sluggish start to the campaign, the Robins have scored 15 goals in their last two games, after overpowering the visitors to Fairfax Park on Saturday afternoon.

The opening quarter of the game was pretty even, with Murray shooting over at one end and Mason Dagger heading just wide at the other.

But after a drinks break – made necessary by the baking temperature – the home side took control with two goals in quick succession.

On 24 minutes Harry Horton's effort was deflected into the path of Murray, 15 yards from goal, and he picked out the bottom right-hand corner with a fierce shot.

Then, two minutes later, Dave O'Hare picked out the run of Taylor, who showed confidence in beating goalkeeper Liam May from the edge of the box.

It was 3-0 at half-time, as Horton's corner was diverted into the net by O'Hare in the 43rd minute.

There was further punishment for a shell-shocked Brislington side after the break, as Dave Thorne's cross was met by the head of Murray and May could only tip it into the net on 52 minutes.

Three minutes after that it was 5-0, Taylor playing a one-two with Thorne and then sprinting clear to skip round the keeper and score his second of the afternoon.

The visitors managed to stem the flow of goals for a while, but there looked to be little response, as the chances kept falling for Bridgwater.

They added gloss to the final scoreline with two late goals, as Murray and Taylor both completed their hat-tricks.

Taylor sealed his on 89 minutes, pouncing after Murray's effort had been saved, and a minute later Murray prodded home after substitute Patrick O'Halloran had beaten two attempted tackles.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne (Patrick O’Halloran 63), Jake Llewellyn, Jake Horsey (Finley Wilkinson 62), Jamie Laird, Tom Ellis, Harry Horton, Dave O’Hare, Steve Murray, Jack Taylor, Sam Towler (Ross McErlain 46).

With that win, Bridgwater pick up £2,890 and secure passage to the FA Cup's first qualifying round (to be played on September 7) – the draw is expected to be made this Tuesday.

This coming Saturday brings a return to league action, and a crucial home match with Plymouth Parkway, who are expected to challenge for the league title (ko 3pm).