Jay Murray produced a fine individual performance to help Bridgwater United progress in the Les Phillips Cup with a 3-0 win at Clevedon Town tonight (Friday).

Murray, who scored 18 goals and picked up 11 assists in over 50 appearances for the Seasiders between 2019 and 2021, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 25th minute with his second goal in two games after signing from Weston AFC.

The former Seasider then turned provider when his low cross was tucked home at the far post by Jason Quick in the 70th minute.

Jack Taylor saw a second Robins penalty wonderfully saved by clevedon goalkeeper James Dunn before substitute Adam Wright headed home Bridgwater’s third in stoppage time to secure the win at the Everyone Active Stadium and a place in the second round against Portishead Town.

Both sides came into the tie in good form with strong starts in the Toolstation Western League Premier.

In front of Clevedon's biggest crowd of the season, with 301 supporters in attendance, it was the Robins who had the first opportunity of the night after two minutes through Murray but the forward could only direct his header over. 

Six minutes later the Murray went even closer when Jack Thorne allowed the ball to roll past him and he raced onto it before sending his strike into the side netting. 

Alex Camm had the Seasiders first chance 13 minutes later when he picked up the ball from the halfway line, he moved forward to the edge of the box and took aim towards goal but his effort was comfortably saved by Jake Viney.

Bridgwater cranked up the pressure and saw Sam Towler sting the gloves of Dunn before Murray’s low drive was kept out by Clevedon’s number one legs. 

But the 2021 cup winners did break the deadlock moments later after Glen Hayer brought down Murray and he stepped up to send Dunn the wrong way with a low drive into the bottom left corner.

Clevedon looked to get back into the game and nearly got an instant reply as Freddie King cut inside but could only direct his effort wide of Jake Viney’s goal in the 29th minute. 

Nine minutes later the Seasiders went even closer as King’s strike was pushed out by Viney and Alex Camm was the quickest on the scene but could only send his effort over the bar as it remained 1-0 at half-time.

Clevedon kept pushing for an equaliser after the break and Caleb Selway headed towards goal, from Syd Camper’s goal, but he could only nod wide. 

At the other end Harry Horton drove an effort straight at Dunn with the match firmly in the balance.

But the visitors did get their second in the 70th minute when Murray turned provider and his cross towards the far post was slid home by Quick. 

The Robins had the chance to make it three seven minutes later with their second penalty of the night when Taylor was brought down by Camper.

But the substitute saw his effort superbly saved by Dunn when he guessed correctly to his left.

Bridgwater, however, did get their third in stoppage time when Josh Phillips’ cross was flicked on by Wright to nestle into the back of the net and inflict Clevedon's first defeat of the season.

Clevedon Town: Dunn, Nicholson, (Iles 79), Camper (C), Kingdon, Hayer, (Beresford 46), Selway, Westlake, (Probet 65), Camm, (Camm 67), Punselie, (Crossley 76), Teall, King

Bridgwater United: Viney, Dave Thorne, (King 62), Jake Llewellyn (C), Quick, Edwards, Horton, (Armstrong 81), Williams, Tom Lewellyn, (Wright 71), Towler, (Phillips 62), Jack Thorne, (Jack Taylor 62), Murray

Attendance: 301