Recap

Brad Ash hits hat-trick

BRIDGWATER UNITED 2

Taylor 14, Llewellyn 17

WEYMOUTH 5

Goodship 39, 51, Ash 58, 71, 85

WEYMOUTH survived a major first-half scare to beat Bridgwater United 5-2 in their third pre-season friendly of the summer at a baking Fairfax Park.

Jack Taylor and Tom Llewellyn put Bridgy 2-0 up in 17 minutes until Brandon Goodship bagged a braced and Brad Ash netted a 27-minute hat-trick.

Bridgwater have enjoyed significant backing from chief executive Adam Murry this summer, the former Bournemouth co-owner linked with investment in Weymouth last season.

While the Western League side – ranked four divisions below the Terras – have big plans to climb the leagues in rapid time, few could have predicted the Robins’ start to this game.

Bridgwater asked serious questions of their Vanarama National League opponents in the first half and took the lead when Taylor beat keeper Gerard Benfield in the 14th minute.

Weymouth were rocked and jittery defending allowed Llewellyn to double their advantage three minutes later – both goals taking deflections.

Bridgwater’s shock lead was in no danger of being diminished until Ahkeem Rose fired the Terras’ first meaningful shot on target in the 32nd minute.

The chance kicked Weymouth into life as Goodship fluffed his lines before Calvin Brooks was unlucky to see a long-range effort cannon off the post.

Weymouth’s route back into the game came in the 39th minute when a trialist picked out Goodship, the striker making no mistake for 2-1.

Goodship added his and Weymouth’s second soon after half-time, scorching an effort home.

Sean Shields hit the post but sub Ash headed Weymouth in front in the 58th minute.

Ash hit the post in search of a second until he grabbed his next opportunity, finishing off a lovely team move.

With five minutes remaining, Ash completed his hat-trick to take his pre-season tally to five goals in two games, erasing some of Weymouth’s first-half blushes in the process.Weymouth are next in action at home to Exeter City on Tuesday (7.30pm).

Terras: Benfield, Brooks, Trialist, Cordner, Harfield, Trialist, McQuoid, Trialist, Goodship, Shields, Rose.

Subs: Fitzsimons, Murray, Ash, Walbridge, Peart, Morgan.