West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Bridgwater 3, Taunton Civil Service 6

WITH an opposition who forgot to turn up in away kit, and also forgot to bring a goalkeeper, this was going to be a strange game for Bridgwater Ladies 1sts.

Bridgwater struggled to adapt to an opposition with 11 outfield players but did score through Charlie Lewis.

But they missed several other chances, and trailed 3-1 at the break.

In the second half, Bridgwater figured out how to play against this strange formation and scored twice more through Laura Coles and Emma Hill.

Civil Service were able to keep their noses in front through short corners, however, winning 6-3.

Player of the match: Laura Coles

Wessex Division 2
Taunton Civil Service II 0, Bridgwater II 2

THE ladies 2nds played in torrential rain but started on top, with Miche Ruse and Tara Russel influential.

It was goalless at half-time, with Bridgwater goalkeeper Sue Durkin making some cracking saves.

Bridgwater broke the deadlock in the second half through Abbie Stevens, after a neat move involving skipper Clare Wilson.

And they wrapped it up when Chloe Sage converted a rebound after Stevens’ shot was saved.

Players of the match: Tara Russel, Abbie Stevens, Chloe Sage

Wessex Division 2
Bridgwater III 0, Winscombe III 3

BRIDGWATER had to defend well early on, with with Shannon Johnson, Bridget Hedaux and Lydia Hemsley putting in a solid shift.

Good saves from keeper Sam Mirto, including one from a penalty flick, kept Winscombe at bay.

After the break, forwards Lucy Bremner, Ellie Coleman and Kath Briggs fought hard to make something happen, but Winscombe took the lead on the counter-attack.

A second and third goal soon arrived against a tiring defence, a frustrating end to a very positive performance.

Player of the match: Shannon Johnson

***

Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 1
Taunton Vale B 2, Bridgwater 3

BRIDGWATER men’s 1st XI maintained their unbeaten record at the expense of local rivals Taunton Vale.

Vale went a goal up against the run of play but Tom Lott, on his first team return, smashed home from a short corner to put Bridgwater back on terms.

The visitors continued to dominate but once again Vale took the lead through a short corner.

A well-worked move saw Lott equalise, and a poacher’s finish from Jordan Rawles saw Bridgwater run out deserved winners.

Player of the match: Tom Lott

West Central 1
Bridgwater A 4, Westbury & UB C 1

WITH top scorer Tom Lott moving up to the first team, the ‘young veteran’ Steve Pigden played his first game for the 2nd XI and scored the first goal from his defensive midfield role.

The hosts continued to apply pressure and Simon Burland smashed home a second.

It was soon to be three with a quality reverse flick over the keeper by Nikita Cernikovs.

The second half began with Westbury pulling a goal back, but Cernikovs’ second sealed the win to keep Bridgwater in second spot in the table.

Player of the match: Chris Dart

West Central 2
Bridgwater B 1, Clifton Robinsons E 3

BRIDGWATER started well but their second-placed opponents opened the scoring.

Inconsistency in selection began to show as the visitors took advantage of Bridgwater’s players out of position to make it 2-0.

The hosts began the second half well and were rewarded with a goal from Steve Turvey after fine link-up play.

They kept battling but Clifton added a third late on.

Players of the match: Steve Turvey & Ian Mayhew

South East 2
Minehead B 4, Bridgwater C 4

IT was a damp and dreary day as Bridgy travelled to Minehead for the A39 derby.

Minehead looked dangerous early on and took the lead, but a moment of magic from Aaron Turner – who struck a fine reverse hit – enabled Will Marchent-Saunders to level for Bridgwater.

Early in the second half, a good cross from Minehead could only be deflected onto a striker’s stick and he scored.

Bridgwater equalised again through James Kettlewell, but the hosts were soon 4-2 up.

A looping shot from Turner pulled one back, though, and Bridgwater pressed further forward in search of a late leveller.

Their efforts were rewarded when Marchent-Saunders levelled, and the spoils were shared despite both teams having great chances to win it in the dying minutes.

Player of the match: Will Marchent-Saunders