By Freddie Owers
The USW 4ths suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bristol University 4ths in their season-opener at the Sport Park.
Goals from Faliki Deche and Farouk Elangbawi gave Bristol a two-goal lead going into the second half.
The sides then traded blows in the second half with a Charlie Taylor stunner capping off the win for Bristol.
Bristol started the game with a series of dangerous attacks, and were rewarded for their dominance in the 17th minute when Deche drifted in from a wide position before slotting in at the ‘keeper’s near post.
The visitors doubled their lead just eight minutes later when Elangbawi tucked home from close range after receiving a pinpoint ball over the top.
USW were lucky not to find themselves three goals down just before the break when a Bristol rebound ended up in the back of the net only for the referee to spare USW blushes by calling offside.
The second half started with the biggest chance of the game when a quick USW free-kick found the feet of James McLaren who missed an empty target from inside the box.
USW deservedly got themselves on the score-sheet just five minutes later when Bristol defender Jason Pool nodded past his own goalkeeper following a deep free-kick to make the score 2-1.
The USW pressure was to be short-lived as Bristol regained control of the game, putting together a series of dangerous attacks and keeping USW chances to a minimum.
A 90th minute curler from Charlie Taylor restored Bristol’s two goal lead, as he spun on the edge of the box and fired past the USW goalkeeper.
USW 4ths will be hoping to kick-start their season next week when they take on USW 5ths.