Championship

Cheltenham 2 Bridgwater 0

BRIDGWATER failed to build on last weekend’s victory over UWE when they were beaten 2-0 by Cheltenham on Saturday.

Having won last week and seen Ashmoor beat Cheltenham, Bridgwater were confident of getting a result against a team that came down from the Premiership last season.

Trying a new formation, aiming to win and keep the ball up in the opposition half more, the weather and pitch conspired against Bridgwater with a well-drilled and structured Cheltenham playing a very high game and Bridgwater struggled to get the ball away.

It wasn't long before Cheltenham looked like making a return and a number penalty corners either went wide or were saved by defenders or by Bridgwater's wild Scotsman Ewan Campbell in goal.

Ultimately, despite suggestions of a foot being involved in creating the goal, Cheltenham succeeded in converting for the first goal.

Heads didn't drop and Bridgwater were determined to get something from the game and kept continued to probe and find a way back into the game.

Then it was the captains turn to get involved in some action - of the wrong kind.

A very strong tackle that won the ball and was cleared, but at the same time, making a loud clash of sticks caused complaints and the umpire reacted by issuing a green card to the Bridgwater skipper.

At the same time getting his opposite number was also sent off as well for telling the umpire it should be a yellow.

With ten minutes to go, a misdirected sixteen metre clearance was all it needed for Cheltenham to counter-attack and score.

Bridgwater continued to battle, but to no avail.

Next week Bridgwater are home against an Exeter University side that are second from bottom and are again confident of getting a result on home turf.