Friendly match
Dorchester Town 5, Bridgwater Town 0

HAVING won their opening pre-season match 6-1 over Honiton, Bridgwater Town were handed a five-goal defeat of their own by Southern League Premier side Dorchester Town on Tuesday night.

Robins goalkeeper Jake Viney was forced into a couple of good saves, but the visitors held out for the opening 30 minutes at the Clayson Stadium in Dorset.

The home side broke the deadlock when Sean Wright converted a Kyle Egan cross from the right, and just two minutes later it was 2-0, as Bridgwater lost the ball in midfield and River Smith punished them on the break.

The Robins' nightmare nine minutes continued as Tom Blair's free-kick from out on the left found the net, and then Dan Strugnell headed in from a corner to make it 4-0 on 39 minutes.

Four goals behind going into the second half, Bridgwater improved after the break and largely held their own against the Magpies, who play two divisions above them.

But the only goal of the second period went to the hosts, as one of their eight trialists on show scored in the 82nd minute.

The Robins take on another Southern League Premier outfit this Friday (ko 7.45pm), with local rivals Taunton Town visiting Fairfax Park – the Peacocks now managed by ex-Bridgwater boss Rob Dray.

That match is followed by another home friendly, against Paulton Rovers on Tuesday, July 16 (ko 7.45pm).