Match Report:

Richard Pears’ first game as manager of Bridgwater United would prove to be a fruitful one, as his Robins side burst into the game and sent high flyers Calne Town packing; a resounding performance and 3 goals to boot.

Freddie Haden came back into the side after a lengthy ban and showed his hunger immediately with energy down the right flank getting himself into the action shortly after kick off, holding off challenges from 2 defenders to cross in for Jack Taylor, whos’ shot skewed wide. Taylor and Haden would link up again just 4 minutes later, with the young striker latching onto a delightful flick from Taylor, charging down on goal before cannoning a shot off a Calne Town defender.

Calne may have been a league below the home side, but this didn’t deter them from playing their brand of football, enjoying large spells of possession throughout the entire game. Bridgy were pressing high and this allowed them to catch Calne in possession in the 12th minute, launching a quick counter which landed with Josh Wadham, unfortunately his shot landed wide of the mark.

Calne Town and Bridgwater exchanged blows all throughout the first half, heavy challenges from both sides, one of which saw Frazer Clark pick up a yellow card on the 43rd minute. And both sides battered the other with quick counters and searching balls over the top. Liam Kingston pulled off a number of quality stops to deny Calne a first half opener, as it was Bridgwater United who would find the back of the net first; Towering centre-half Dave Rowe was drafted in from Exmouth Town on the morning of the game, and it was his bullet header that opened the scoring before the first half was done.

A double change for the Robins at half-time, with Preston Hopwood and debutant Lewis Smith coming on for Josh Wadham and Jack Taylor. Whilst Bridgwater were the team that went into the break a goal ahead, but it was Calne Town that came out the blocks the quickest. Bombing forwards at every opportunity, with chances saved by Liam Kingstone in the 51st and 52nd minute respectively. On the 55th minute Calne’s onslaught came to a head with a weak shot that rolled under Liam Kingston to level the scoring.

The Robins made two further changes, bringing on Finn Koppa and Luke Newman for Michael Duffy and Frazer Clark. These two changes brought some much needed energy to the Bridgwater flanks, and the Robins went on the hunt for a winner. Noah Brown’s ball landed with Liam Winter in the box, his strong effort was blocked off the line and following a brief game of pinball the ball was cleared. Freddie Haden went surging forwards and earnt a corner, the ball fell to local lad Lewis Smith who smashed it home for a debut goal on the 77th minute

With the goal advantage Bridgwater went hunting for a third, with Freddie Haden sending a vicious shot over the crossbar from close range. With a breath of fire in the Bridgwater side, cross after cross assaulted the Calne box before Finn Koppa was found on the back post before promptly slamming the ball into the back of the net from close range in the 96th minute.

A fantastic performance to start the Richard Pears era at Bridgwater United.

Bridgwater United: 1. Kingston, 2. Rowe, 3. Pfupa, 5. Clark (Newman 76), 6. Price ©, 7. Wadham (Hopwood 45), 8. Brown, 9. Taylor (Smith 45 (McKenna 94), 10. Winter, 14. Duffy (Koppa 64), 17. Haden

Unused Subs: None

Calne Town F.C: 1. Clark, 2. McGrory (Windsor 72), 3. Capel (Williamson 61), 4. Ford, 5. Brand, 6. Black, 7. Warren, 8. Cawley (Pike-Bright 34), 9. Smith, 10. Stiles, 11. Gale (Jones 56)

Unused Subs: Gigov

Referee – Billy Wooten

Assistant 1 – Bradley Palmer

Assistant 2 – John Cooper