Pre-season friendly
Bridgwater Town 1, Weston-super-Mare 2

BRIDGWATER Town continued their pre-season campaign with their second game in three days, against Southern League Premier Division Weston-super-Mare, writes Kerry Miller.

Dave Pearse and Karl Baggaley’s squad were still in the game at the final whistle despite the attacking style of the Seagulls, who must be one of the biggest sides to play at Fairfax Park for some time.

The Robins stood up to the task and, with man of the match Tom Ellis, Ollie Morris and Jordan Greenwood at the back, did well to repel the imposing strikeforce of former Bridgwater man Nick McCootie and Dayle Grubb, who returns after a spell in the Football League with Forest Green Rovers.

Indeed, the hosts took the lead when Seagulls goalkeeper Luke Purnell tried to dribble past Mike Duffy but was robbed, and the returning midfielder rolled the ball into the empty net on 20 minutes.

Josh Wadham was linking well with Jack Taylor and with new boys Conor Bryant and Ryan Brereton busy the visitors were never able to exert authority.

However, they levelled seven minutes before the break, as Greenwood was forced to bring down McCootie just outside the box and Grubb curled his free-kick past Jake Viney.

Jake Llewellyn cleared off the line twice in as many seconds just short of the break, and the second half began as the first ended with the sides trading chances - Duffy and Thomas testing the keepers.

Former Mangotsfield United and Yate Town midfielder Adnan Hiroli came on for the Robins on the hour, returning to Fairfax Park after a decade away, and the Indian-born player was soon in the action along with George Painter, yet another returning to Fairfax Park.

Keiron Thomas then put Weston ahead with a left-footed finish just past the hour and, while the visitors twice his the woodwork late on, the Robins continued battling until the end.

Squad: Jake Viney, Ollie Morris, Tom Ellis, Jordan Greenwood, Mike Duffy, Josh Wadham, Ryan Brereton, Jake Llewellyn, Jack Taylor, Conor Bryant, Sam Towler. Used subs: Adnan Hiroli, George Painter, Tyne Govier, Nathan Byrne.

The Robins are in action again tonight (7.30pm), when Somerset County League side Somerton Town visit for another match behind closed doors.

On Saturday (3pm), they go to play Ashton & Backwell United.