It was a damp and dreary day on the travels to Minehead for the A39 derby. After a difficult week of selection Bridgwater took 13 players, looking for the first win of the season.
The weather decided to stay fair in Minehead for the start of the game as both teams looked to get a positive result from the game. It was Minehead who looked the most dangerous as they pushed forward and looked more complete as they forced Christian Durkin into an early save. James Kettlewell, Dan Buller and Steve Morrish held Minehead at bay with the former making some decent tackles. Toby Knight and Steve Miller (in his new defensive midfield role) helped link things at the back as Bertie Kelly played well on the right, with Oscar West on the left. It may have taken 10 minutes or so to get some forward momentum, but Bridgwater finally registered a shot as Trystan Hudson linked well with William Marchent-Saunders and Aaron Turner whos shot came agonisingly close. This was the start that Bridgwater needed in a half where both teams pressed but where repeled. When James Harmer and Sam Thomas came onto the pitch Bridgwater were looking positive as they really wanted to take the lead. However, a good move from Minehead allowed them to take the lead, but after this Bridgwater managed to make key blocks and saves to keep it to one. Then a moment of magic from Turner who struck a fine reverse hit trying to take out Marchent-Saunders, who controlled the ball and calmly slotted the ball into the goal. There was still time for a massive scare at the back, but Kettlewell and Buller handled it well. Marchent-Saunders came close to getting a Bridgwater lead from some great Hudson and Kelly crosses.
There was a lot of positive talk at half time as Bridgwater knew they could push and get something. Minehead started the stronger, but Knight and Miller looked to stem the tide in the middle of the pitch. A good cross from Minehead could only be deflected onto a strikers stick as he buried the shot. Bridgwater then pressed which resulted in a short corner that Kettlewell buried. Turner kept driving forward, as West showed how far he has come in the last few weeks, making key tackles and battled hard. But Minehead showed more composure in front of goal as they got 2 more goals and looked to have won it at 4-2. Harmer found a new role in defence, But Bridgwater battled forward and it was a deflected looping Turner shot that made it 4-3. Bridgwater then pressed further forward with minutes remaining to get something out of the game, it was a fine effort from Marchent-Saunders to get the goal. In the final minute either team could have won it as both had some great chances as teams got tired.
Overall a fair result in a game that could have gone either way. Man of the match for Bridgwater was close as Will Marchent-Saunders just beat Toby Knight to the accolade.