YATE Town showed there is life after Lewis Haldane as they swept Bridgwater aside in a tempestuous affair at Lodge Road this afternoon, which saw both sides finish with ten men.

Jordan Rogers relished the chance to be the main man up front in Yate’s first game since the former fans’ favourite’s departure, scoring the opener on 28 minutes, and they added two more goals in the last 14 minutes of normal time with an Andy Lewis penalty and a magnificent strike by James Harmer sandwiched by a Joe Chandler own goal.

However, the game ended in ugly scenes as a fracas broke out in injury time with Bridgwater captain Tom Knighton and home defender Tom Warren, team-mates during Yate’s historic run to the first round of the FA Cup two years ago, both sent off.

Knighton saw red for head-butting former Bridgwater defender Warren, who reacted by pushing his hand towards the striker’s face and their scuffle continued as they headed down to the dressing room.

Warren had been part of a solid defensive display by Yate as a Bridgwater side who had previously only lost once away from home did not manage a single shot on target.

The visitors had spells of concerted pressure early on but Yate’s three centre backs nullified the attacks, with Josh Ford particularly impressive.

Incredibly, it took 27 minutes until the first attempt at goal by either side but Rogers never troubled Bridgwater goalkeeper Ben John as he dragged well wide from 25 yards.

Rogers was celebrating one minute later, though, when Scott Thoma’s scuffed’ clearance from Jake Cox’s left-wing cross straight into his path and he side-stepped Thomas before lashing the ball into the bottom corner.

Yate’s confidence soared as Bridgwater went further into their shell and John did well to get down low to his right and keep out a fierce Jordan Ricketts strike from 20 yards that stung his gloves.

There was a long break in play towards the end of the first half after Bradley Abraham suffered an injury and had to be stretchered off, the midfielder believed to have severe bruising in his leg.

Bridgwater finally registered their first attempt four minutes into the second half but Ollie Chamberlain’s header from a deep cross went harmlessly wide.

Rogers was playing on the edge, going into the referee’s book for a nudge that was perceived to be over zealous moments before winning the ball 20 yards from the Bridgwater goal on the left and blazing over.

The game became a war of attrition with tackles flying in from both sides and Yate were awarded a penalty when Dale Evans was caught by Craig Allen as he burst into the box after exchanging passes with Mitch Tippins down the right.

Lewis’ run-up was hesitant and John got a hand to the spot kick as he dived low to the right but it was too hot too handle as the ball went past him.

Bridgwater gave themselves a lifeline six minutes later when Chandler knew very little about substitute Jack Welling’s low cross into the six-yard box and he inadvertently turned the ball his own net.

However, Yate wrapped the game with a superb goal two minutes from time. Assistant manager Michael Meaker produced another impressive cameo performance from the bench and he played a clever pass to Jordan Ricketts, who in turn fed Harmer. The midfielder had time to look up and he hit a wonderful lofted shot over John and into the net with his weaker left foot.

Yate Town: Horsell (c), Tippins, Cox (Staley, 82), Chandler, Ford, Abraham (Lewis, 45), Harmer, Evans, Rogers (Meaker, 82), Warren, Ricketts. Subs not used: Jackson, Felix.

Ref: Mr A Penwell.

Att: 247.

Gazette star man: Josh Ford – Commanding display at centre back.