Bridgwater United made it two wins from two to start to the Western Premier League with a well-earned result against Street in their opening home game of the season.

Goals from Sam Beresford and Will Collins secured a 2-1 victory for the Robins who were made to work hard by the visitors for the majority of the match.

A physical game, Bridgwater can be pleased to come away with the three points amidst a performance full of grit and resilience and can look forward to continuing their positive start to the season.

The match began in blistering fashion with both teams trying to take the game to the opposition straight away, seeking to impose their styles of play.

Bridgwater began by forcing a series of corners which the visitors had to be alert to as well as some half chances which flashed in front of goal.

However, they quickly had to switch into defensive mode as with their first real attempt on goal, Street came close to the opening goal, only to be denied by the crossbar.

What followed for the rest of the opening period was some nice interplay from both sides as they sought the upper hand, though some solid defending from both teams meant that a clear-cut opportunity was lacking.

It was in the 16th minute of the game when the Robins carved out a goalscoring opportunity when, following a throw in into the box and some nice work to hold off Street’s defenders, the ball found itself at the foot of Sam Beresford who poked home from close range to give Bridgwater the lead.

However, as was the case in the opening moments of the game, Bridgwater could not rest on their laurels, as Street responded to going behind with a wave of pressure which told only a few minutes later when one of their players rounded Liam Kingston before quickly playing the ball back inside to be prodded into the net for the equaliser.

The visitors then started to dictate the overall play of the game and imposing themselves physically on the Robins who started to grow frustrated.

This came to the fore just a couple minutes after the equaliser, when following a foul, Toby Lawrence, found himself booked for dissent and having to spend the next ten minutes sin bin.

Unsurprisingly, Street then looked to press on for another goal with the man advantage and Bridgwater had to be resolute and aware in their defending to see out this period.

Liam Kingston showed his value whilst down to ten men by producing a late reaction save to deny Street who were one-on-one and later having to again be alert to parry out another effort which the visitors then spurned a golden chance on the rebound from.

Even after Lawrence returned to action, Street still held the advantage in the match though lacked that decisiveness in front of goal and the sides went into the halftime break all-square.

Half Time – Bridgwater 1-1 Street

Following the break, the second half began much like the first with chances at either end. Firstly, Will Collins saw his effort well saved before the visitors went up the other end and saw a low, driven effort cannon off the post.

For a long period in the second half, that was as good as the action got as the game became a physical affair, played largely in the middle of the park with neither side getting a long period on the ball.

Both sides fought well, however, neither could get a look in as the tackles became heavier and the referee sought to keep the game flowing and under control.

It was not until the 70th minute when, following a heavy challenge by Street, Haydan Chambers went down in pain, and the referee had to be called into action. Whilst the players received treatment and Chambers was subbed off, the officials consulted one another decided on just a yellow card – much to the chagrin of the home supporters.

The game was crying out for a touch of quality and it soon arrived as Bridgwater took the lead in the 77th minute through Will Collins who timed his run to the back post perfectly to meet a looping cross from Jason Quick and head past the keeper, scoring his third of a campaign and continuing his impressive start to life in a Robins shirt.

From that point on, Bridgwater shut up shop, bringing on fresh legs to help see the game out and deliver the three points which they duly did after a period of added time which felt like it went on for an age.

Full Time – Bridgwater 2-1 Street

The victory means the Robins have two wins from two in the league this season and have enjoyed a positive start to the campaign.

Speaking post-match, Manager Dave Pearse noted the physicality of the game, stating “We had to fight and scrap for everything…It wasn’t the prettiest game in the world, but we showed great character to get the win.”

Bridgwater’s next match is at home to Newquay AFC on Saturday 1st August with Kick Off at 3pm.

By Archie Mills