Bridgwater Town were back in league action for the first time since September 19th as they took all three points against a dour Yate Town at Fairfax Park on Tuesday night writes Brian Austin.
Town were first to show as a quick move down the left ended with a Marcus Duharty effort going just wide.
Five minutes later and another quick interchange of passes released Pepperell on the right wing.His deep low cross was just too far ahead of Duharty who couldn't quite add the finishing touch.
Bridgwater's midfield of Beadle,Kirk and Trowbridge produced some exquisite passing interchanges and Yate were being pulled all over the park.Moves involving twelve or more passes had the crowd purring with delight but somehow Yate contrived to keep the game scoreless.
On 19 minutes another Pepperell run and cross found Thomas steaming in from the left but he couldn't quite get his header on target.
Little was seen of Yate as an attacking force as the Bridgwater back four of Price,Pitcher,Laird and Orchard restricted them to occasional long range shots which failed to trouble Tom Manley in the Town goal.
Thomas and Orchard on the left and Price and Pepperell down the right kept the Yate full backs fully occupied but the opening goal refused to come and half time arrived with the game still scoreless.
The second half began in similar style as Bridgwater pressed and Yate seemed content to sit back and play for a point.
Town almost broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after Thomas and Orchard again combined but Pepperell at the far post somehow managed to shoot over from two yards.
Following more Bridgwater pressure Beadle brought the best out of Matthews in the Yate goal as he dived to his left to brilliantly keep out a twenty yard thunderbolt from the impressive midfielder.
The goal Bridgwater richly deserved finally arrived in the 68th minute as Mercieca,on for Pepperell,crossed from the left and Duharty majestically headed home a superb goal giving Matthews no chance.
Town then had strong claims for a penalty waved away by referee Huxtable as Duharty was pushed as he challenged for a high ball.
A rare mistake by the Bridgwater defence then let in Yates Joe White but he blazed the ball high and wide when he should have done better.
Yate now introduced some urgency into their play and came more into the game as an attacking force but Bridgwater could have gone further ahead but for more athletic goalkeeping by Matthews as he again foiled another Beadle screamer.
In a frantic finale the outstanding Jamie Laird was forced off through injury and Yate pressed for the equaliser.Cox was off target and then Warren headed wide.Keeper Manley was kept busy as Yate pushed forward and he preserved Town's lead with an excellent save,diving low to his right,to keep out a shot from Robbins .
Inexplicably referee Huxtable added on nine minutes to the second half and it was with some relief that the final whistle was eventually heard.
Town fully deserved the three points as their more enterprising approach play should have brought more goals but Yate are a useful side who will not be far away from a play-off place come the end of the season on this showing.
Joint manager Craig Laird was pleased with the three points but said:" We have played better.Leigh and I were happy with the result but not some of our play. The final ball was sadly lacking at times and this we need to work on."
The win moves Town up two places in the table and after last nights result they went above Yate on goal difference.