Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Wellington 0, Bridgwater Town 3

With this comfortable victory, Town climbed to second in the table and closed the gap on Plymouth Parkway, writes Mark Hollidge.

They always looked like beating the inexperienced home side, who were playing their first home league game of the season.

Town set up with a 4-4-2 formation and introduced Ross McErlain to central defence.

He gave an authoritative performance in what was a solid all-round defensive effort. Wellington had little joy up front and rarely threatened.

After a tame first 10 minutes, Town set their sights on the Wellington goal.

A fine pass from Sam Towler led to Steve Murray having a chance to score.

Mitch Woodgate smothered his effort and Murray had the ball in the net soon after but the offside flag stymied any celebrations.

Brown gave Jake Viney something to do with a grasscutter which Town’s keeper pushed away.

After drinks, Town scored their first goal.

Murray didn’t have the best fortune personally in front of goal but he had a big role in goals one and two.

Mark Armstrong’s pass released Murray and Woodgate again got in the way of his shot.

This time the ball squirted to the left and Jack Taylor knocked it in from a few yards.

Next, Taylor teed up Murray but he took a little too long in firing off a shot.

Although Town looked in control and unflappable, five minutes short of half time, Wellington nearly nicked one.

A lobbed cross from the left was about to give Brown an easy header on the goal line until Viney stretched to the maximum and flicked the ball away from Brown’s brow.

The sultry weather seemed to be affecting both teams as the second half opened in lethargic style until Town’s second goal gave them breathing space.

Dave O’Hare passed down the left to Murray, who lifted the bouncing ball over Woodgate and Taylor was there to head in.

Both teams rang the changes and one of the substitutes, Town’s Jake Brown, was the instigator of the third goal.

In typical style he ran in from the left wing with the ball under close control.

The trailing Pearson chopped him down and Town’s own penalty expert, Jake Llewellyn, converted from the spot as the keeper went the wrong way.

Town could have bagged two or three more in the final 10 minutes.

An exocet from Llewellyn roared to the left of the post, Mike Duffy shot straight at Woodgate after being set loose by Taylor and Pocock almost scored in his own goal when he lifted the ball over his own keeper - Woodgate got back to clear from the goal line.

This was a strong away performance, just what is needed to keep the chirpy Robins towards the top of the table.

Wellington have proved to be obdurate opponents in recent seasons but they struggled against more experienced opponents today.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Finley Wilkinson (Jake Brown 62), Mark Armstrong (Harry Horton 56), Ross McErlain, Jake Horsey, Sam Towler, Dave O'Hare, Steve Murray (Mike Duffy 69), Jack Taylor, Jake Llewellyn