Andy Llewellyn picked up his first Bridgwater United victory as manager in the Toolstation Western League Premier to move up the Robins up to top after a 1-0 win at Nailsea & Tickenham this evening (Friday).

The Robins have had a lot to endure off the pitch but came away from Fryth Way with all three points thanks to Ross Edwards’ header just before the hour.

George King nearly grabbed Bridgwater a second when his free-kick came back off the post as the Swags had chances of their own.

Lucas Vowles saw his effort kept out by Isaac Finch before Joe Banks fired wide as Bridgwater travelled back up the M5 with a priceless triumph.

Both sides headed into the game with a point to prove, Nailsea & Tickenham following a 5-0 defeat against Street in midweek while United came under-fire for sacking manager Dave Pearse and comments on social media and it showed with a feisty opening in North Somerset.

But it was the hosts who had the first decent opportunity after 22 minutes. A long pass forward fell nicely into the path of Vowles, he evaded the challenge of Josh Phillips and found himself clean through with just Finch to beat but Bridgwater United’s goalkeeper stood firm to keep out his effort. 

King had a couple attempts which failed to trouble Jason Mellor in the Swags goal, his first was deflected wide before he fired over.

Jay Murray did superbly to control the ball on the edge of the area before placing the ball just wide of far post as the game went into half-time goalless.

But the game didn’t have long to wait for the opening, and only, goal of the match in the 58th minute from a corner.

Jake Llewellyn whipped the ball in and Edwards rose the highest to head it past Mellor and spark jubilant scenes among the visitors.

Having waited just under an hour for a goal, a second nearly arrived four minutes later

King’s free-kick from 25-yards-beat Mellor but not the woodwork with the ball rebounding to former Nailsea & Tickenham forward Jack Throne but he could only send his effort wide.

With just goal in it, the home side sensed an equaliser and went close twice in quick succession to levelling the scores.

Substitute Jacob O’Donnell cross fell to Joe Banks. He took a touch to steady himself and on his second he could only fire straight at Finch before same two combined with Banks again going close but he could only direct his effort into the side-netting.

But it was Bridgwater who celebrated widely at full-time with their second successive win after beating Ilfracombe Town in the Les Phillips Cup in midweek. 

Bridgwater United: Finch, Jake Llewellyn (C), Edwards, Williams, (Wright 66), Tom Llewellyn, Jack Thorne, Murray, Phillips, Horton, King, (Towler 86), Quick.

Nailsea & Tickenham: Mellor (C), Carter, Moktari, Sealey, (Buxton 90), Bishop, Mills, Banks (Manning 90), Cummings, Vowles, Dunn, (Ford 66), Osgood (O’Donnell 72)

Attendance: 252