Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Chipping Sodbury Town 1, Bridgwater Town 8

BRIDGWATER Town scored eight goals at Chipping Sodbury for the second season in succession in an emphatic victory on Saturday, Town's first league win of the season.

The game was less than a minute old when the experienced Justin Bishop, the home side’s player-manager, was dismissed for an inexplicable wild kick at a Town defender.

Town then proceeded to completely dominate both territory and possession, knocking the ball around with pace and confidence, and it was no surprise to see Jack Taylor slot home for his first of the season from a perfectly weighted pass from Harry Horton.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the young Sodbury side began to grow into the game and Town were indebted to Jake Viney as he leapt to his left to deny the dangerous Sam Makepeace.

The game continued at a high tempo and it was not long before Dave O’Hare drove through the midfield to slot home to also open his account for the campaign.

Town were now cruising but a mistake at the back provided a further opportunity for Makepeace who, very much against the run of play, put his side back in the game.

Seemingly inspired by this success, the home side pushed forward to create another opportunity that Viney clawed over the top when an equaliser look certain.

Whatever was said by the management team at half-time clearly had the required effect as, in a dazzling four-minute spell, Sam Towler, Jamie Laird, Steve Murray all struck to put the visitors on their way to another goal fest.

Dave Thorne, Horton and Taylor gave way to Finley Wilkinson, Jacob Mead and, for his season’s debut, Dave Pearse.

These changes only increased the pressure on the home side as Pearse used his experience to hold the ball up well to help create multiple further chances as the quest to match last season’s tally continued.

Steve Murray scored through the ‘keeper’s legs with Jake Llewellyn adding his first of the season just two minutes later as he cut inside to smash the ball pass the busy Sodbury ‘keeper at his near post.

With the final whistle imminent, O’Hare completed the scoring as his shot from the edge of the box found the net to make it eight once again.

There was still time for a final attack from the home side as Viney, once again, made a fine save to deny the home side any type of consolation.

Eight goals away from home is an exceptional performance on any day and there is little doubt that the squad will be much encouraged by their efforts.

Sterner tests against Brislington in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup next Saturday and the favourites of many to lift the title, Plymouth Parkway, also at home on August 31, lie ahead.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, (Finley Wilkinson 66), Jamie Laird, Mark Armstrong, Jake Horsey, Harry Horton (Jacob Mead 71), Sam Towler, Dave O’Hare, Jake Llewellyn, Jack Taylor (Dave Pearse 75), Steve Murray.

Man of the Match: Sam Towler