Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 S&W
Bridgwater Town 0, Paulton Rovers 5

BRIDGWATER Town's first match after the departure of Craig Laird was truly one to forget, as visitors Paulton Rovers came away with a 5-0 victory.

With their first team manager having resigned to take up the vacancy at Dorchester Town in the division above, the Robins' reserve team manager Dan Wright took charge for Paulton's visit.

The wind in Bridgwater's sails, gained from an away win at Slimbridge in their last outing, was knocked out of them by Laird's exit - as shown by the ease with which Paulton, who were only three places above their hosts before the game, took the points.

Their opener came as early as the third minute, as Jordan Ricketts found space in the Bridgwater area to take a shot, his effort beating keeper Liam Kingston and going in off the post.

The Robins then held out until the half-hour, when Kailan Gould pulled the ball back for Reeko Best to double the visitors' lead.

Joshua Ford then scored twice in the second half to well and truly kill the game - his first a header from a corner in the 52nd minute, the second seeing him deflect Tom Richen's effort into the net on 67 minutes.

Gould completed the scoring in the 77th minute, firing home after linking well with ex-Bridgwater man James Byrne.

Bridgwater: Kingston, Laird, Robinson, Andrews (Govier 73), Richens, Ripley, Morris (Lovibond 59), Duffy (Sneddon-Coombes 66), Kellow, Horton, Camper.

Things don't get any easier for the shell-shocked Robins this Saturday, as they travel to third-placed Evesham United (ko 2pm).

***

IT was a much happier story for Bridgwater Town Reserves on Monday, as they won 2-1 away to Middlezoy Rovers in the Somerset County Premier Division.

Alex Male and Matt Connick scored the goals for Bridgwater, with Craig Wright replying for Middlezoy.

Defeat for the hosts saw them fall from third to fifth in the standings, while Bridgwater's impressive result lifted them to 12th place.

They now have a near three-week break until their next match, which is away to Chilcompton Sports on Saturday, January 21.