GoCrea8 Central 1
Somerset Gryphons 5, Bridgwater 1

BRIDGWATER men’s 1sts travelled up the M5 to Clevedon, with a plan to extend their recent run of good form.

But by half time Gryphons had scored two goals without reply.

In the second half, a somewhat bitty game saw Gryphons extend their lead.

Tom Lott scored Bridgwater’s only goal of the game from a penalty stroke, in reply to Gryphons’ five.

Man of the match: Harry Rose

The team aim to get back on track this Saturday, at home to City of Bath A (2.15pm start).

GoCrea8 West Central 1
Bridgwater A 8, Bridgwater B 1

LAST Saturday brought one of the biggest matches of the season for Bridgwater, as it was the first time in a number of years that the men’s 2nds have faced the 3rds in a league game.

The 2nds began well, creating chances, and the pressure told when good move down the right was finished off by Rich Payne.

The 3rds seemed taken aback, and soon it was 2-0, as Will Kelly scored off a good short corner routine, and then 3-0 when Kody Fludgate popped up at the back post.

The 2nds did not take their foot of the gas, scoring another three goals before the half-time whistle, with both Kelly and Payne claiming their second of the game, and Mulberry Threlfall-Eyres getting in on the act.

The 3rds did pull one back before the interval, though, as Kieran Spotiswoode was denied by Brandon Durkin, only for the rebound to fall perfectly for Sam Sweatman.

A few tactical changes from the 3rds meant that the second half was much more even, as the 2nds struggled to break down the opposition defence, and only scored once more – Threlfall-Eyres converting from a short corner.

2nd XI man of the match: Scott Upham and Mulberry Threlfall-Eyres; 3rd XI man of the match: Duncan Bond and Dan James-Stone

Next weekend, the 2nds travel to Firebrands D (4.30pm), while the 3rds entertain Keynsham (12.15pm).

South East 2
Bridgwater C 4, Sidmouth & Ottery B 2

BRIDGWATER 4ths fielded just 11 at home to Sidmouth & Ottery, and the visitors started strongest, dominating the midfield and opening the scoring following several short corners.

Home captain Kev Hicks made formation changes, and Bridgwater started to take the initiative, rewarded by Tom Willis’ well-worked goal.

Moments later, amid a goalmouth scramble, Aiden Casey picked up the ball just inside the D and brilliantly drove the ball high into the net on his reverse stick to make it 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw the game ebb and flow, but with the best opportunities falling to the hosts.

Two further goals – one each from Steve Turvey and Paul Tilley – took the pressure off, with the away side scoring a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

Man of the match: Aiden Casey

Sixth-placed Bridgwater travel to East Devon C (one place above them) on Saturday (2.30pm).

South East 3
Ashmoor C 4, Bridgwater D 3

A BRIDGWATER side with a good mixture of youth travelled to Ashmoor, and took the lead through Sam Uminski, who scored well after a slick move.

The hosts equalised, but in an end-to-end game the away side won a short corner, and Ted Kelly’s shot somehow rolled over the keeper into the goal, giving them a half-time lead.

Ashmoor got their pressing game together after the break, and hit back hard to lead 3-2 – despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Christian Durkin.

The visitors stayed in the game and equalised with eight minutes to go, through top scorer James Kettlewell, but with just a minute left, the home team converted a deflected short corner to win 4-3.

Man of the match: Ted Kelly

On Saturday, Bridgwater are away to East Devon D (1pm).

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Bridgwater 2, Old Bristolians 3

FOR their final league match of 2017, Bridgwater ladies 1sts hosted Old Bristolians, who were just above them in the table.

The visitors scored early, before Bridgwater had settled, but it wasn’t long before the home team levelled through Sapphy Reed-Yang.

The away side retook the lead in the second half, but again the hosts hit back with a Lucy Burridge goal.

Bridgwater had most of the possession, but their penalty corners bore no fruit, as the visiting keeper was a constant frustration to the home side.

Old Bs then nicked a goal, and the hosts could not find a third equaliser.

Player of the match: Becca Tasker

The game had provided plenty of high quality play and goalmouth action, and Bridgwater will take these positives into the second half of the season, starting away to Taw Valley on January 13, 2018.

Sedgemoor Division 2
Minehead 2nds 1, Bridgwater 2nds 2

THE ladies 2nds took on Minehead in a mid-table clash on Saturday, and the visitors began well.

They took the lead when a short corner was converted by Jess Shobbrook, and then dealt with a series of Minehead short corners, as Jenny Hayden-Briffet cleared a shot off the line.

The second half saw Kate Ward and Danni Morgan find lots of space down the left, and Willow Hobbs scored from a great cross from Morgan.

Minehead again responded by putting pressure on, but Sue Durkin made a great one-on-one save, before a late consolation.

Player of the match: Willow Hobbs and Clare Wilson

Bridgwater return to action on January 6, away to league leaders Chard.