Verde Recreo Men’s League
Central 1
Team Bath Buccaneers B 2, Bridgwater 3

A CHANGE in formation led to a change in fortunes this week, as Bridgwater men’s 1sts returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over a good Bath Buccs team in an intense game.

The away side had to soak up a bit of pressure early on, but once Bridgwater had found their feet, they looked unstoppable at times.

Striker Tom Lott put his side 1-0 up with a stunning goal, beating three Buccs players along the baseline, passing the ball round the keeper and tucking the ball home into an empty net.

Their dominance told further when Jordan Rawles was in the right place to expertly deflect the ball into the top right-hand corner.

Buccs came out all guns blazing in the second half, and the pressure eventually told when they were awarded and scored a penalty flick.

Bridgwater responded immediately, however, as the pushback from Lott was passed to skipper Duncan Morrish, who aerialled the ball over the top to find Lott unmarked.

Lott’s first-time reverse half-volley was dispatched into the bottom corner, and Bridgwater had restored their two-goal cushion after only 20 seconds!

Bridgwater keeper Pete Saunders made a fantastic save to keep out a penalty flick, and despite the hosts scoring a second from a short corner, the away side had the win.

Player of the match: Paul Tilley and Pete Saunders

Central 2
Bridgwater A 4, North Wilts 3

AFTER an 11-1 defeat the previous week, Bridgwater’s 2nd XI regained their dignity with a win.

They also adopted a new formation, which led to both teams being evenly matched early on.

Bridgwater began to get on top, and scored a couple of goals through Ben Sims and Will Pope.

North Wilts hit back, but the hosts showed just how good they could be with a tackle just outside their own 25m line sparking some outstanding hockey leading to a goal from Rich Payne, assisted by Chris Dart.

Bridgwater’s fourth goal - the decisive one - came from Dart in a well-executed short corner routine.

West Central 2
Bridgwater B 6, Old Bristolians C 1

THE 3rd XI made it two wins from two by defeating Old Bristolians.

Bridgwater broke the deadlock from a short corner, with Carwyn Jenkins picking out Steve Pigden.

Their second came from another short corner, this time from a Scott Mills strike, and they made it 3-0 courtesy of Steve Turvey, at hand on the post from another Mills strike.

The visitors got one back, but Bridgwater responded immediately, with Will Marchant Saunders picking the ball up on the right-hand side in his own half, taking on numerous players and lifting the ball over the advancing keeper.

A crisp reverse strike from Mills made it 5-1 at half-time, and he completed his hat-trick with another reverse strike after the break.

Player of the match: Toby Knight

West Central 2
Firebrands E 3, Bridgwater C 0

Bridgwater 4ths travelled to Firebrands for a very late start, and there were two debutants this week - twins Oscar and Edward Taylor.

Visiting keeper Christian Durkin made some key saves, but Firebrands led 1-0 at the break.

Bridgwater’s defensive effort kept them in the game until two late goals killed them off.

Player of the match: Harvey Larcombe

***

West Club’s Women’s League
Central Division
Taunton Vale II 4, Bridgwater 0

BRIDGWATER women’s 1sts were unfortunate not to gain any points this weekend, against a strong Taunton Vale team.

Both sides had chances in an even first half, but a last-minute goal gave Vale the lead at half-time.

Bridgwater were unlucky not to get on the scoreboard as they had some great chances, while a more clinical Vale side scored three more.

Player of the match: Donna Cooper

Sedgemoor Division 1
Bridgwater II 7, White Eagles II 1

THE ladies 2nds bounced back from a tough opening match with a dominant win on Saturday.

A short corner fell to Millie Burridge, who put Bridgwater 1-0 up, and their second came when Holly Hobbs converted a good cross from Jess Shobbrook.

Shobbrook (2) and Dani Morgan made it 5-0 at half-time.

Amber Titchener set up Shobbrook to claim her hat-trick, and a great individual drive from Morgan was the icing on the cake.

Player of the match: Jess Shobbrook

Wessex Division 2
Winscombe IV 2, Bridgwater III 2

BRIDGWATER 3rds broke the deadlock away to Winscombe with strong build-up play from the midfield, as Kath Briggs passed the ball out right to Morgan Edwards, who finished well.

The visitors continued to pressure the home D, and were rewarded with a second goal, this time a superb strike from Kath Briggs, after a defence-splitting pass from Sue Chaplin.

Going into the second half, Bridgwater were unable to maintain the momentum and the hosts pulled one back.

The remainder of the match was very even and end-to-end, and a penalty flick enabled Winscombe to snatch a point.

Player of the match: Lydia Hemsley and Morgan Edwards