Somerset Division Two West

Highbridge Town 0 Uphill Castle 2

HIGHBRIDGE Town manager Matt Pitt is still confident his side can challenge for honours this season, despite seeing them slip to a 2-0 defeat to Uphill Castle on Saturday.

The defeat is Town’s second of the season in the league and sees them slip one place to fifth in Division Two West – and Pitt admitted his players were off the pace on Saturday.

He said: “It was a frustrating day, where on another day we win that game comfortably.

“We missed chances that should have gone in and a few of the players were not at the level we expect from them.

“We will learn from this game and look to put it right on Saturday against Kewstoke.

“We have now lost two this campaign but still find ourselves three points off top spot if we win our game in hand.

“I have our more experienced players coming back into the frame over the next week and we also welcome new signing Jake Adey to the club and he will make his debut this weekend, so I am still positive we can push for honors this season.”

Town started the game the brightest and should have been ahead twice in the first 15 minutes, with Chris Taylor being put through on goal after excellent work on the right by Scott Harman.

But Taylor sliced his shot wide when on goal and five minutes later, an excellent cross in from Kane Powell found Matt Scott at the far post and the in-form striker could not direct his header goal bound when placed well.

Town were then punished from a set piece and after not dealing with the initial corner, an Uphill player smashed the ball home to give them the lead.

Town tried to find a response in the first-half but found a very organized side hard to break down.

In the second period, Town flew out the blocks and nearly drew the game level immediately, with Taylor finding his way into the box and smashing the ball off the inside of the post.

Town kept working away and should have had a penalty when Harman forced his way into the box and was hauled down, but the referee thought otherwise.

Simon Fouracres did well to turn, but his shot was off target as Town pressed for the equalizer – but they were caught out on the break and punished with a second goal to ensure they would leave the game empty handed.

Team: Hampson, Powell, McCaul, Redstone, Green, Hirons, Elliott, Harman, Fouracres, Taylor & Scott Subs Green & King