BRIDGWATER Town were left kicking their heels last Saturday due to the weather but welcome back striker Jack Taylor for tomorrow’s visit of Bitton.

The Robins’ scheduled trip to Bridport was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and co-manager Dave Pearse - though frustrated - saw the benefit of a rest after a busy festive schedule.

“We were able to have a training session with the reserves, as they were called off too, so it was nice to all get together,” he said.

“Our pitch is looking good for Saturday if the weather holds, and our groundsmen have done an unbelievable job so far this season.”

Town are 10th going into the weekend, with Bitton a place and a point below them.

On Saturday’s opponents, Pearse said: “They have got a really experienced side with a lot of quality, and they have a few ex-Bridgwater players in there, too.

“I’m a bit surprised they are not higher in the league, but I think they are in the same boat as us in terms of building for next season.”

The Robins are in the thick of a congested mid-table in the Western League Premier Division, with seventh and 13th position separated by just five points.

Bridgwater have games in hand to make up on some of those teams around them, and Pearse is hopeful the win at Shepton Mallet - which ended a run of five straight defeats in all competitions - can kick-start a good run.

“Hopefully that result can be the start of something,” he said.

“This month is massive for us. We’ve got games to make up in February and March so if we can win our games this month and take points off the teams around us we will be in a position to take full advantage of those.”

Town have re-signed winger Will Hancock to add further competition to an already sizeable squad, which is to be bolstered by the return of star striker Taylor after around a month out through injury.

“Our squad is looking good for Saturday,” Pearse said.

“The only absentees are through suspension, with Josh White, Jake Llewellyn and Dave Thorne all missing, but Lee Begg is back.”

Pearse said prior to the scheduled Bridport match that he was not concerned by the disciplinary record of his side, despite the suspensions building up.

“I think a lot of the bookings we’ve had this season have been harsh, and referees are getting more strict with awarding cards,” he said.

“If anything, I’d like us as a team to put more tackles in.

“We are lucky with the depth we have - many teams would struggle with the number of absences we’ve had, but our team still looks strong.”

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IN the Somerset County League, Premier Division sides Bridgwater Town Reserves and Middlezoy Rovers are both in action tomorrow.

Town Reserves, who sit 10th in the table, travel to fourth-placed Fry Club, while Zoy - in fifth position - are at home to Stockwood Wanderers, who are ninth.

Both are 2pm kick-offs.

Middlezoy Rovers Reserves, meanwhile, are away to Purnell Sports Reserves in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Junior Cup (ko 1.45pm).

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AND on Sunday, Middlezoy Rovers Ladies and Wembdon Ladies hope to be back in action after a long period without matches.

Zoy Ladies are set to host South West Women's Premier Division leaders Buckland Athletic, and Wembdon are away to Somerset County Division 1 table-toppers Weston AFC Women (both ko 2pm).