HOCKEY: Bridgwater keep up fine form with Chippenham victory

BRIDGWATER men’s 1st XI took another solid win against a good Chippenham side to bring their unbeaten run in the league to five games.

They started the game strongly, winning a short corner within seconds, and narrowly missing from the resulting strike.

The first 10 minutes were very end-to-end, with both sides creating chances - but, thanks to Sam Uminski’s individual brilliance in the D, Bridgy went a goal up.

Bridgwater managed to grab their second goal as Duncan Morrish converted well from a short corner to go into half-time two ahead.

Chippenham started the second half brightly and were quickly on the scoreboard to halve the deficit.

But for incredible saves from keeper Pete Saunders and a stunning goal-line save from defender Scott Upham, the visitors could well have equalised.

Bridgwater, however, kicked on after weathering the storm and regained their two-goal cushion after a superb first-time strike from Jordan Rawles found the bottom corner.

The game was won when Ash Woolmington reverse flicking the ball into the roof of the net.

Player of the match: Jordan Rawles, Pete Saunders & Sam Uminski

West Central 1
Old Bristolians A 1, Bridgwater A 0

BRIDGWATER travelled to Bristol to face the only other team not to have dropped any points so far this season.

The game was played in downpour from start to finish and Bridgwater offered a debut to Sam Stacey and Steve Wilson.

The home side had most of the possession but Bridgwater defended stoutly.

The only goal of the game came on the half-hour, a shot hitting a Bridgwater foot and flying into the top corner.

The second half was pretty much identical to the first with Brad Palmer making some good saves to maintain the score.

If key umpiring decisions had gone the other way, Bridgwater might have equalised . . . but it was not to be.

Player of the match: Dom Court

West Central 2
Westbury & UB D 3, Bridgwater B 0

AFTER an up-and-down week with selection, player availability the B team travelled to top-of-the-table Westbury with yet another changed team.

However, Bridgwater started strongly, creating early chances which were saved by the Westbury keeper.

Westbury found a way through the Bridgwater defence during a breakaway and added a second with a similar scenario.

After the break, Bridgwater pressed and created a majority of the chances, however, Westbury scored again against the run of play.

Player of the match: Danny Rogers

South East 2
Bridgwater C 0, Taunton CS A 6

THE game started off with Taunton Civil Service, including several ex-Bridgwater players in their ranks, putting a lot of pressure on the defence of Bridgwater.

Mark Hutter made some early saves, while Alan Baldwin, Dan Buller, James Kettlewell and Steve Morrish managed to keep the early hits and flicks at bay.

TCS eventually opened the scoring but Simon Burland, Toby Knight and Steve Miller helped Bridgwater stay in it.

Oscar West very nearly scored but it was TCS who added two before the break.

Bridgwater began positively, producing some great moves but the visitors were too strong and scored another three in the second half.

Player of the match: Stephen Miller

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Somerset Gryphons 2, Bridgwater 2

BRIDGWATER ladies 1sts put in an excellent shift against Gryphons away from home on Saturday.

They pinned the opposition back in their half and Sapphy Reed-Yang slipped the ball to central midfielder Heidi Martin, who in turn struck the ball into the D for Annabelle Jay to deflect into the goal.

It wasn’t long before Bridgwater added another after some fantastic team play, Lauren Morrish slotting home through the keeper’s legs.

Gryphons clawed a goal back before half-time to set up a tense second half.

There was great play from both teams in an end-to-end battle, with Lara Jay, the Bridgwater goalkeeper making multiple crucial saves.

However, Gryphons managed to get one more goal from a quick break, to complete the scoring.

Player of the match: Charlie Lewis

HAT-TRICK: Cheryl Notaro-Livingstone was on fine form for Bridgwater ladies 2nds

Wessex Division 2
Bridgwater II 6, Taunton Vale V 0

BRIDGWATER ladies 2nds opened strongly against local rivals Vale on Saturday, and Kath Briggs bagged their first goal only seconds after her arrival on the pitch.

Briggs was also involved in the second, finished by Cheryl Notaro-Livingstone.

Bridgy’s tireless midfield of Clare Wilson and Julie Reed kept them going forward and Jess Shobbrook added a third before half-time.

After the break, Bridgwater continued to play together, Miche Rushe on song.

Rachel Higgs, although in defence, was able to push forward and assist with Bridgwater’s scoring spree. She combined with Chloe Sage, who dribbled half the pitch before finding Notaro-Livingstone, who finished nicely.

Sage added the fifth goal and Notaro-Livingstone completed her hat-trick in style.

Player of the match: Cheryl Notaro-Livingstone

Wessex Division 2
Winscombe IV 3, Bridgwater III 1

BRIDGWATER ladies 3rds opened positively after a week off with Tara Russell, Morgan Edwards and Hannah Bremner gaining the upper hand.

It was Russell who made the breakthrough, lifting the ball high into the back of the Winscombe net.

Skipper Sue Chaplin, playing in defensive midfield, made her presence known in hassling and breaking up play where she could.

Linda Hay, Bridget Hedaux and Lydia Hemsley worked tirelessly but the hosts equalised from a short corner.

Winscombe continued to attack and broke away to beat keeper Sam Mirto.

Pushing forward for the equaliser, Bridgwater were caught again and were 3-1 down following another short corner.

The second half saw Bridgwater having to defend hard to stop Winscombe from increasing the scoreline.

Player of the match: Tara Russell