Cheddar 0 Bridgwater United 5

Following the euphoria of reaching the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup competition, the Cheesemen beating Hengrove Athletic on penalties in Round One, this tie against the Toolstation Premier Division league leaders was never going to be easy against a team 38 places above them in the football pyramid.

Rather than be overawed by a Robins side that appear intent on reaching their goal of Southern League football at the end of the current season, the hosts can hold their heads up high after a spirited performance against Dave Pearce’s side.

Fielding a formidable team, the neutral supporter expected something of a romp from the Bridgwater team riding high in the Western League Premier Division, but in truth the hosts, playing in front of a good size crowd approaching 100 spectators for the second time in four days, held their own until the 22-minute mark, Conor Hartley’s left foot strike giving Kieran Webster little chance, after the Town striker was played a precision ball by a mercurial Ollie Hubbard on the right flank.

The visitors added a second goal on 28 minutes, the game’s outstanding player Tom Llewellyn twisting and turning inside the 18-yard box and hitting a fierce low shot that evaded Webster’s despairing drive. Despite being two goals down approaching the half hour, Cheddar’s inexperienced youngsters were far from overawed however and strikes on target from both Lewis Chappell and Dean Chrisostomou were well worthy of note, and may well have troubled lesser goalkeepers than Jake Viney, the Bridgwater custodian.

Bridgwater’s third goal came on 55 minutes, Hartley netting from ten yards before Jack Taylor added a fourth goal, the notorious striker stooping low to place a deft header beyond Webster’s reach on 67 minutes for his eighth goal of the campaign. Four goals down but far from giving up all hope, Cheddar to their major credit valiantly continued to make the best account of themselves, Lewis Jennings' shot from distance on the hour causing Viney to save full length.

Then on 75 minutes, Ryan Eardley - again used as an impact substitute by his manager - drilled an effort just wide of the woodwork after a pulsating run well inside the penalty area. Had the home side managed to monopolise from their opportunities the scoreline may well have ended slightly more respectably for the hosts but tired legs against superior opposition were to tell and Sam Hedges added a fifth goal for the visitors and his own 16th strike of the season in the remaining seconds of the game.