Exactly seven days after Bridgwater progressed in a cup tie against Cornish opposition, The Robins faced a similar challenge. This time, the F.A Vase, and against Penzance AFC, known as The Magpies, billing this as a battle of the birds.
Bridgwater named a side similar to the one that progressed in the F.A Cup, the only change being Dave Thorne starting in place of Duffy.
First Half
High temperatures, blistering sun, and a rock hard pitch at Penlee Park was the stage for our next cup adventure.
Bridgwater immediately started on the front foot, commanding the ball and territory and penning the home side back.
Just two minutes in, a long throw in was flicked to Will Collins who looked to poke us ahead. The home goalkeeper pulled off a good save from close range, and the ball was cleared.
Moments later Dave Thorne found Collins with a low pass. The in-form striker controlled and shot with two touches, but it was straight at the goalkeeper.
On the ten minute mark, Miles Quick delivered a low cross that Collins again flicked towards goal. It looped high, and the home goalkeeper was called into action to tip the ball over the bar.
Five minutes later, Bridgwater were at their fluid best. Thorne passed the ball to Shea Mannings, who moved it to Collins, who slipped Jason Quick down the left hand side. Once again, the home keeper pulled off a capable save, keeping the Cornish side in the game.
Just before 20 minutes, the home side showed they were dangerous in their own right. Thorne was caught on the ball in our own penalty area and gave Penzance a chance to shoot. They did, but it was charged down and blocked by Toby Lawrence.
On the 20 minute mark, we found the breakthrough. Will Collins never gave up on a long ball, harassing the defender and forcing the ball to pop back to Mannings. The imposing striker opted for placement and did so perfectly, curling the ball into the bottom corner to give us the lead.
Bridgwater continued to push, and on the half hour mark, found a deserved second. Sam Beresford was found in acres of space in the penalty area. The striker made no mistake, slotting the ball to the left of the keeper and wheeling away in celebration.
Just before half time, we got our third. A series of long throw-ins and corners eventually came the way of Collins, who made no mistake from close range and continued his run of scoring in every game this season.
Half Time – Penzance 0-3 Bridgwater
A first half performance full of energy had all but sealed the game. Bridgwater had pushed from the first minute, and looked dangerous throughout. All three of our strikers bagged a goal, and could have had more.
The home side looked leggy and a little shell-shocked, ultimately having been overwhelmed by the attacking talent Bridgwater had at their disposal.
Second Half
The second half could not have been more different from the first. The frantic nature had gone, and instead, the home side opted for a much more disciplined, defensive set up, something they perhaps should have implemented from the start.
On the hour mark, they had a chance to claw something back. A curling cross found its way to the back post, where a header should have been converted, but was knocked over the bar.
10 minutes later, Collins weaved around and through defenders before squaring the ball to Beresford. He shot, but the keeper responded with another good save.
Bridgwater rang the changes, with Lloyd Mills, Jake Llewellyn, Haydan Chambers, Douglas Camillo, and Mark Armstrong all getting minutes.
The game fizzled out much differently to how it started, and the referee blew his whistle to confirm our victory.
Full Time – Penzance 0-3 Bridgwater
And so the game ended at the same scoreline as the second half started, and the first step of another cup was navigated. The damage had been done in the first half through the clinical finishing of our strikers, and despite not adding to the scoreline in the second half, there was no danger of this result going any other way. It continued Bridgwater’s fantastic start to the season, with 6 games played, 5 wins, and 1 draw.
Sam Beresford was named Man of the Match after the victory, the striker bagging a goal and never stopping running throughout.
We have no midweek game again, instead, we travel to Exmouth Town in the F.A Cup on Saturday 22nd August, for a 3pm kick off.
A massive thank you to the fantastic away support who joined us in Cornwall, your support is always appreciated, we hope you enjoyed your pasties, beer, sun, and the victory!
Penzance were friendly and gracious hosts, and we wish them the best for their season.
Up the Bridgy!
#WeAreUnited
