THIS local derby on Tuesday night lived up to all expectations as two evenly matched teams battled out an entertaining draw which had almost everything except goals, writes Brian Austin.

Bridgwater opened at a frenetic pace and Taunton did well to survive the early onslaught.

Early corners and Neil Peek long throws caused the Taunton defence some anxious moments and Andy Robertson almost put Bridgwater ahead when his acrobatic overhead kick from one of Peek’s prodigious throws just cleared the bar on six minutes.

Taunton’s first attack of the night came on 12 minutes and ended with former Town favourite John Harris hitting the outside of a post from 15 yards. Sean Kenny went close for Bridgwater after more good approach work by the midfield.

Simon Lyons, who was superb, shot wide from a George Brimson pass and then Harris had home keeper Stuart Wood scrambling across his goal line as the ball passed just the wrong side of the post.

Harris then won a corner and a clever routine ended with John Vance shooting high over the bar.

As half time approached Taunton came more into the game but Mat Pitcher and Josh Turner looked sound through the middle with Matt Townley and Neil Peek in uncompromising mood Taunton were unable to create a clear opportunity. The second half mirrored the first as play swung from end to end.

Wood was marginally the busier of the two keepers and he did well in one attack to punch clear from a free kick and then tip a goalbound effort over the bar.

At the other end Andy Robertson brought the best out of Taunton keeper Chris Astley as his dipping volley was brilliantly saved.

Taunton's defence, ably led by Chris McGrath, became tighter and Bridgwater were unable to get in behind them as they had done earlier in the game.

Towards the end the pace slackened and the final whistle brought to an end a thoroughly entertaining derby from which both sides can take the plaudits.

Both teams were applauded off the pitch at the end and Bridgwater can be heartened that they matched a team eight places above them in the league table and kept another clean sheet.

Team: Wood (7), Peek (7), Pitcher (7), Turner (7), Townley (7), Lyons (8), Robertson (7), Durrant (7), Brimson (6), Kenny (6), Piper (6). Subs used: Nunn (7), Thomas (6), Irish (6).

On Saturday, Bridgwater host Yate Town, who are four points above them in Division One South and West of the Zamaretto League, having played a game more.

Bridgwater Town boss Rob Dray, who was in charge for his first local derby, said he felt his players were the better side for the majority of the game, but admitted a draw was probably the fair result.

He said: “I was very impressed with a lot of parts to our play last night.

“There were 500 people in the crowd and the atmosphere was great but it’s a shame it wasn’t the spectacle it could have been.

“We showed passion and hard work and I thought we were the better side.”

On his side’s lack of goals, Dray said: “The lack of goals doesn’t concern me, it’s more about keeping clean sheets.

“Fernando Torres has not scored in seven games. We’ve lost our goal scorer Chris Young for most of the season but what’s better for me is that we are not conceding.”