Men's 1s 4-4 Chard 1s

Under new leadership of Joe Syvret, the 1s started the 23/24 season away to Chard in a well fought 4-4 draw!

The home team were looking the more threatening side, making use of their home advantage, being the more comfortable team on the very sandy pitch. Bridgwater were unable to get used to the lack of pace of the pitch and gifted the ball to the Chard forwards who opened the scoring inside 5 minutes.

It wasn't much later when Chard scored their second, winning the ball on the halfway line and counter attacking, overloading the Bridgwater defence to make it 2-0 to the home side. Bridgwater were not without their chances though, the forwards of Jordan Rawles, Charles Grossey and returning from holiday that morning at 3am, Tom Lott, linked up well but were unable to convert any chances yet.

Chards third goal of the half came in similar fashion, winning the ball around the halfway line and hitting Bridgwater on the counter. Bridgwater's defence chased back well and slowed them down, but after being unable to clear the ball, it fell to a Chard forward who unorthodoxly swung his stick towards the ball and it rolled in.

Bridgwater's heads didn't drop and they started to look the stronger side, forcing Chard deep into their half. Former Bridgwater skipper, Duncan Morrish, help set up the teams first goal. Making a strong run along the left side of the D, hitting it hard towards the back post where young Trystan Hudson on his 1st team league debut was waiting to tap it in unmarked. Bridgwater finished the half 3-1 down but were looking the stronger side at the break.

Bridgwater started the second half as they finished the first; looking the more confident side and forcing Chard back, earning themselves an early half short corner. Rob Morrish injected the ball to Tom Lott who manoeuvred the ball excellently past the first runner, giving himself space to strike the ball. Lott hit the ball hard towards the far post where injector, Rob, was able to get the finessed of touches to "help" its way into the goal for Bridgwater's second.

Bridgwater started playing as they had been in their pre season games, playing simple, effective and attacking hockey. The away side were unable to get the ball out of their own half as midfielders Sam Uminski and George Adams, thwarted any Chard attack by winning the ball back and keeping Bridgwater in the home teams half.

Bridgwater's equaliser came from another short corner. Injected by Adams, stopped by Duncan Morrish, draggled flicked low and hard by former Chard player, Charles Grossey. Putting the away side on level terms against his former club, who were now looking very deflated and frustrated.

Bridgwater were clearly now the dominate team, with the defence of Rhys Morgan, Dom Williams, and Syvret brothers, Max and Joe, and keeper Pete Saunders, being able to comfortably keep Chard at bay. Switching the ball across the pitch with ease, looking for the chance that with give them the lead for the first time in the game.

Bridgwater took the lead with 10 minutes to go, after stopping a Chard attack and releasing the ball quickly up the pitch to Rawles who expertly swept the ball first time to forward partner, Lott. Lott, was then able to dribble his way into the Chard D, twisting and turning, creating a pocket of space to rifle the ball beyond the keeper who was rooted to the astro. Bridgwater had taken the lead and were on course for their first win of the season under new leadership.

In the final minutes of the game, the Chard attack had one final push, dribbling the ball around the left side of the Bridgwater defence. Driving into the D along the baseline and passing back to the penalty spot to tap the ball in, inches away from Saunders in goal who was extremely unlucky not to get a touch on the ball.

Bridgwater were unlucky not to come away with all 3 points after a superb comeback from 3-0 down. Player Of The Match went to Tom Lott, for his goal, assist and excellent work rate upfront.

Next weekend, the 1s play their first home game of the season against newly promoted local rivals, Taunton Vale 3s at #FortressChilton, 2pm pushback.