Pre-season friendly
Bridgwater Town 1, Wincanton Town 0

A well-taken goal from debutant Ryan Brereton on the half-hour was enough to give Bridgwater Town victory on Tuesday night, against a strong and energetic Wincanton Town side at Fairfax Park, writes Kerry Miller.

Although played behind closed doors, both sides went for it from the start and created an atmosphere for the watching clubmen and women which brought some entertaining football.

With no interminable rolling subs, extended drinks breaks and long half-time, it often resembled a league game and credit must go to the managers and referee Scott Jackson and his team for providing that.

Robins bosses Karl Baggaley and Dave Pearse were without skipper Mark Armstrong but introduced former Bishops Lydeard striker Brereton, plus former Lydeard and Wellington wideman Conor Bryant.

Josh Wadham and Mike Duffy each returned for another debut and there was also a first look at Jordan Greenwood, a centre-half from Roman Glass St George, who had a superb match alongside the unflappable Tom Ellis and was the unofficial man of the match.

Western League Division 1 side Wincanton began well and were the better side for 20 minutes, with Louis Irwin twice going close, after Duffy had seen an effort blocked at the other end.

Bryant then curled a shot inches wide and after Brereton had also gone close, he struck on the half-hour after Fin Wilkinson and Jack Taylor combined, and the 20-year-old made no mistake from 12 yards with a fierce drive.

After the break Wilkinson went close with another curling shot before former Robin Dan Wise had a free-kick well held by Jake Viney on the hour.

Jake Llewellyn and Ollie Morris were introduced soon after and as Wincanton went looking for an equaliser Pearse, Tyne Govier and Andy Venning had a run-out.

Ellis nodded a free-kick wide, while at the other end Greenwood was showing a turn of pace, somehow getting back to deny Toby Cole who was clear and about to pull the trigger.

It proved a match winner and more of that will be needed tomorrow (Friday, 7.45pm), as Southern League Weston-super-Mare visit for the Robins’ second pre-season game, again behind closed doors.

Bridgwater: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Fin Wilkinson, Sam Towler, Jordan Greenwood, Tom Ellis, Ryan Brereton, Mike Duffy, Jack Taylor, Josh Wadham, Conor Bryant. Subs (all used): Dave Pearse, Andy Venning, Tyne Govier, Jake Llewellyn, Ollie Morris.