Southern League Division One South and West

Bridgwater Town 2 Winchester 4

IN spite of being four goals in arrears with over 20 minutes to play, the Robins showed commendable spirit to battle back and score two late goals against promotion seeking Winchester, writes Mark Hollidge.

However nobody should be in any doubt that the visitors were deserved winners of an entertaining game.

The Robins have managed to score four goals in two games against these opponents but unfortunately the goals against tally reads an unhealthy 11.

Winchester are the top goal scorers in this division and you could see why.

They showed their attacking prowess when taking an early lead.

All game long Zach Glasspool showed his ability to find space in the penalty area and he was lurking unmarked as he headed a pinpoint cross by Jamie Barron past Jake Viney from near the penalty spot.

The Robins were almost handed a soft goal after 10 minutes when a harmless looking shot from home debutant Josh Klein-Davies was fumbled against the post by keeper Brendan Norris.

Then Klein-Davies met a tempting right wing cross from Josh Wadham with a header aimed for the top right corner. Norris saved that one well.

Breaking quickly, and finding their men in attack with impressive accuracy, Winchester doubled their lead.

A long run along the left wing saw Matt Benham evade a few challenges before closing in on goal. His shot wasn’t too potent but the ball broke conveniently for Barron to score from 10 yards.

Norris was discomfited when a long clearance bounced up sharply and he was relieved to palm the ball wide of the net but the next goal seemed more likely to come from the visitors.

Glasspool was too strong when tussling with Kye Thomas for the ball and his shot required a Viney save.

Barron could have scored his second but some scrambling defence resulted in the shot being deflected over.

The Robins were the sharper looking outfit when the game resumed in the second half.

Jamie Adams threaded a delicious cross across the Winchester six yard box but there were no takers. Josh White’s powerful downward header from a Wadham corner looked goal-bound but a deflection took it just wide.

The Robins had done quite well to keep leading scorer Warren Bentley quiet but he made two telling contributions which left Winchester four up.

His measured cross was perfect for Glasspool, again unmarked, to head low past Viney.

Then Bentley’s careful left footed finish from the left side of the goal, in off the right post, was reminiscent of Michael Owen in his pomp.

At this stage the Robins rolled up their sleeves and gave Winchester something to think about. Reeko Best and Wadham, in particular, really turned up the turbo and made life much more difficult for their opponents.

Best burst along the left wing and cut inside for a firm shot which Norris couldn’t hold. Shaun Anthony gleefully slammed in the rebound.

Winchester did have a couple of chances on the break but by now Bentley had been removed from the action.

The final goal of the afternoon was the result of more good work by Wadham.

He ran fearlessly at the defence and shot against the left post - Klein-Davies (who looks a great acquisition) had a simple task to run the ball over the line.

Town: Viney, Adams, O’Sullivan (Sinnott 64), Mountford (Hopkins 69), Thomas (Palmer 74), J. White, Wadham, Byrne, Anthony, Klein-Davies, Best.