Bridgwater Town's dismal home form continued with this defeat against Thatcham Town, writes Brian Austin.

Three goals down at half time they were unable to capitalise as Thatcham played most of the second half with ten men following Steve Cook's dismissal.

Cook saw red for lashing out after he had had a penalty claim denied by the official in the 48th minute.

Indeed, Thatcham increased their lead on 61 minutes when Charles Mpi, their undoubted man of the match, finished at the far post after Stuart Wood could only parry a Scott Rees effort.

Bridgwater made six changes to their starting line up from that which took the field against Totton, in their last home game. Stuart Wood took over in goal, Josh Turner and Bradley Middleton returned to the defence alongside debutant Matt Townley, and Jamie Howson and Carl Jones returned to the attack.

Bridgwater had started the match well playing against a strong wind and Paul Strudley in the Thatcham goal pulled off a remarkable save low to his right to keep out a Chris Young header in the first few minutes.

The game became a midfield battle with Thatcham guilty of over hitting the ball with the strong wind behind them and Bridgwater struggling to get the ball forward and find their men.

Chris Young and Carl Jones worked hard but too often they were left chasing poorly placed passes and the Thatcham defence dealt comfortably with the home team's efforts.

Wood took command of his area and was sound in the air as Thatcham pressed, but was over eager at times in trying to get things going from the back.

Neither keeper was seriously troubled until the 38th minute when Mpi was superbly put through and he deftly passed the ball into the net as Wood came out to narrow the angle to give Thatcham the lead they just about deserved.

Four minutes later, Gareth Thomas doubled their lead when he got on the end of a free kick from the left to blast the ball past Wood from six yards and then Charles made it three on the stroke of half time when Wood's poor clearance found him 40 yards out and he shot home into the unguarded net.

The second half saw Bridgwater with more possession but little idea what to do with it and the Thatcham defence coped well against the wind and with ten men.

Hongi Moon and Young went close and Durrant hit the bar for Bridgwater, but keeper Strudley was rarely threatened as Thatcham deserved their success and the three points although the 4-0 score line flattered them just a little.

Bridgwater's last home success was back in November last year with a 4-2 win over Gosport and it's to Gosport they travel next weekend for the return fixture.

Bridgwater Town would like to thank match sponsor Mark Webber and programme sponsor Pete Yeo for their generosity.

Team: Wood (6), Peek (6), Middleton (5), Turner (5), Townley (5), Lyons (4), Durrant (7), Robertson (6), Young (6), Jones (5), Howson (4). Subs used: Moon (5), Mercieca (5), Kozlowski (5).