Report by Eddie Robinson

SATURDAY ended a bad week for Bridgwater as they lost their second away game in the space of four days when going down to the only goal of the game at Yate.

Beadle and Mercieca came back into the starting line-up having been rested for Wednesday’s game and Duharty started up front in place of Young.

Bridgwater started the brighter on a difficult pitch that had a dusting of snow over a hard surface.

Captain for the day Price was prominent early on but the first real chance came when Mercieca released the over-lapping Laird, whose low cross pulled back to Beadle saw the midfielder’s drive tipped over by keeper Dempsey on 13 minutes.

Trowbridge, getting through a lot of good work in midfield, set up Pepperell whose cross was turned behind by a defender at full stretch.

Dempsey tipped over Laird’s in-swinging corner and got a good fist on the next.

Another good right wing move ended with Price’s cross just inches too high for Mercieca. On 24 minutes Beadle charged down a clearance to set up a chance for Pepperell who shot just over.

Manley was brought into action for the first time after 38 minutes when comfortably fielding a shot from Simpson.

Pitcher made a good saving tackle to deny striker Church but in the last minute of the half, Simpson found space to the left of the by-line and pulled the ball back to Reynolds to give the home side the lead.

Bridgwater started the second half on the attack, scarcely able to believe they were behind.

Beadle broke through on the left with the home defence hoping for an offside flag the ball went across to Duharty who was unable to force the ball home past the spread-eagled keeper.

Bridgwater continued to dominate the game and were much the more skilful side, but if there was a down side to their game it was that too many short passes went sideways or backwards and they lacked the decisive ball to get behind an overworked defence.

Trowbridge made a burst through the middle but his shot lacked power.

Bridgwater made three substitutions including a first appearance for five years by Justin Porter. They lost their shape to a degree and as they went for broke both Reynolds and Church had a sight of goal.

As the game reached its final stages Bridgwater threw everything at the Yate defence – and a final corner count of 12-0 emphasised the way the game went.

Bridgwater Town: Manley, Price, Laird, Villas, Pitcher, Trowbridge, Robertson, Beadle (sub Young, 68) Mercieca sub Porter, 75) Duharty, Pepperell (sub Orchard, 78).