Men's 1s 5-2 Taunton Vale 3s

Bridgwater's first home game of the season came against local rivals and newly promoted, Taunton Vale 3s.

Bridgwater started the stronger of the two sides, dominating all over the pitch, creating plenty of chances in the Vale D. Bridgwater opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, Tom Lott making a mazy run around the right side of the D, drawing plenty of Vale defenders to him, allowing Jordan Rawles to run to the back post unopposed and sweep the ball in to open the scoring.

Bridgwater then kept that momentum going by adding their second of the game shortly after, Tom Lott scoring his first of three. Assisted well by Rawles, picking the ball up on the halfway line, putting Bridgwater on the counter attack. Receiving the ball just outside the 25 metre mark, Lott was able to dribble his way into the D and double the home teams score.

This didn't put Vale out of the game just yet, Bridgwater had to stop a flurry of Vale attacks, captain Joe Syvret, intercepting and clearing Vale passes into the D, Morrish brothers, Duncan and Rob, making key tackles. Keeper Pete Saunders, once again showing his class by making some fantastic saves off of Vale short corners.

Bridgwater scored their third of the day near the end of the half. Captain Syvret taking a free hit outside the 25 mark, made a fast, precision pass to Lott who was posting up just outside the D. He kept the ball close to the end of his stick and was able to dribble around his marker and slot it past the keeper putting the home side 3-0 up at the break.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, Bridgwater dominating and looking the more threatening side. Lott sealed his hattrick from a Bridgwater short corner. Injected by R.Morrish, Lott received the ball at the top of the D, dribbled around the first runner, around the second, dragged the ball to the left of the D, drawing the keeper out and pushed the ball low and hard into the back of the Vale goal, putting the home side 4-0.

Bridgwater had done the hard work and had a very convincing lead, but they started to get a little complacent, allowing the away side to have more of the possession and forced keeper Saunders into making a handful of saves. Vale got their breakthrough, the Bridgwater defence were unable to clear the ball away from danger and the Vale forwards were able to squeeze the ball past veteran Saunders and get a goal back.

The Vale dominance didn't last long, as the home sides first attack from the restart resulted in them adding their 5th and final goal of the game. This time Paul Tilley providing the assist, drilling the ball hard towards the Vale penalty spot, where former Vale player, Kyle Wheaton, on his league return to the 1s after an injury absence, was waiting unmarked to tap the ball in. Keeping to his form of being no further than the penalty spot when converting his chances.

Vale scored their second and final goal of the game ten minutes from the end, the Bridgwater defence were unable to put a stop to a Vale counter attack.

The final whistle blew and the home side secured their first 3 points of the season in a resounding home win over newly promoted Taunton Vale 3s. The whole Bridgwater squad putting in all they had in the October heat, to ensure they came away with the win. Player of the Match went to hattrick hero Tom Lott, a solid performance from the forward, not only converting the goals himself but also assisting them as well.

Bridgwater travel down the M5 to Exeter next weekend to face Exeter University, who are currently two wins from two this season. The 1s will be looking to keep their momentum going and earn their first 3 points away from home this season.