West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 2
Bridgwater 2nd XI 0, Chard 1st XI 2

BRIDGWATER Ladies 2nds started their league programme with a home game against Chard.

The visitors had only narrowly been relegated from Division 1 last season, so this was a tough start.

Bridgwater had two debutants in this match, with Kashi Morrish as a back to hockey player and Lauren Morrish, aged 13, making her first senior appearance.

Chard tested Bridgwater’s defence early on with numerous short corners, but with some fine goalkeeping from Sue Durkin and a bit of luck, the hosts managed to stave off the threat and eventually settled into the game.

Bridgwater had a couple of attempts on goal in the first half – Karen Chilcott, Beth Porter and Willow Hobbs working well.

Jess Shobrook and Danni Morgan, meanwhile, picked up the tempo with telling runs into the opposition D, but the Chard keeper was equal to anything that the hosts could muster.

At half time, with the score 0-0, Bridgwater were quite happy with their performance.

In the second half, Chard continued to press, with the home side needing the experience of Julie Morrish, Sue Chaplin and Rachel Higgs to keep the visiting forwards at bay.

Right-back Hilary McNeill stood firm and prevented many attacks down the left, while Rossi Sheppey and Kate Ward battled well in midfield.

Unfortunately for the hosts, with just minutes to play, Chard’s Rachel Ireland-Jones managed to squeeze the ball past Durkin on a narrow angle.

And it was 2-0 soon after, as Lyndsay Blackshaw sealed the win for Chard.

Bridgwater’s player of the match: Lauren Morrish

Bridgwater travel away to Barnstaple to play Taw Valley next week.

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Friendly match
Bridgwater Men’s 1sts 1, Yeovil & Sherborne 1sts 3

BRIDGWATER hosted a Yeovil team that are in a higher division and fell behind to two scrappy goals.

Bridgwater improved as the match wore on, and they pulled one back through Duncan Morrish.

But they could not find an equaliser, and Yeovil scored from a penalty corner to finish 3-1 winners.

Bridgwater goalkeeper Luke Hendrie had a great game in goal for a second successive week.

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Friendly match
Bridgwater Ladies 1sts 2, Taunton Civil Service 1sts 2

BRIDGWATER faced a strong and skilled Taunton Civil Service team on Saturday, and were grateful to goalkeeper Amy Burridge as the first half finished 0-0.

Bridgwater then won a penalty corner, and Sapphy Reed-Yang finished well.

Taunton CS equalised from their own penalty corner, only for Cass Walker to put Bridgwater back ahead.

But a late lapse in concentration allowed Taunton to level again.

Bridgwater look forward to their first league clash, at home to Taw Valley on Saturday (10.30am).

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Friendly match
Yeovil & Sherborne 2nds 2, Bridgwater Men’s 2nds 4

BRIDGWATER Mens 2s travelled to Yeovil, and took the lead through Aaron Turner, before Yeovil equalised.

In the second half, Mulberry and Paul Bond put Bridgwater 3-1 up, and although Yeovil pulled one back, Turner scored from a penalty corner to seal it.

Next week Bridgwater host Taunton Vale C, before the league seasons starts the following week.

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Friendly match
Yeovil & Sherborne 3rd 0, Bridgwater Men’s 3rds 5

THE thirds made a fine start to their pre-season with a 5-0 victory at Yeovil & Sherborne.

Their goals came from Duncan Bond, Lewis Coad, Sam Sweatman and Andy Hayden-Briffett.