Barnstaple Town 4 Bridgwater United 4

You need to look back a whole 1,940 days to find evidence of The Robin’s last 4-4 draw with all 4 bagged by a certain Jack Taylor.

Yesterday, the Bridgy ‘two Jack attack’ ensured that synchronicity was maintained in this enthralling encounter at Mill Road.

Going into this game, the visitors were averaging 4 goals across their early season games. The portents for that trend to continue looked good in the early stages as both possession and territory were dominated. It was not long before the pressure told as Callum Laird made a mess of a short back pass to Liam Kingston with the ball rebounding to the predatory Jack Thorne; 0-1.

This early breakthrough prompted early evidence of Barum’s expected long ball tactic as they attempted to feed their front two of Bowker and Foster and the visitors were soon indebted to Jake Llewellyn who effectively blocked Foster’s attempt. As the long ball barrage continued, Bowker was adjudged to have been bundled to floor in the area. The result – a booking for Quick, a penalty to the hosts, converted by Captain Billy Tucker: 1-1.

With the midfield being pretty much by passed, United were pressured into an error as Viney’s attempted clearance was deflected into the net by Tucker: 2-1.

Undeterred, United were soon stringing passes together with Jack Thorne causing all sorts of problems for the Barum backline. From one such foray, Thorne fired in a low cross to the onrushing Tom Llewellyn who, somehow, managed to fire over from inside the 6-yard box. It was now end-to-end stuff as Foster again broke free, only for Viney to deny him with his legs. A crucial save.

However, it was not long before the Mill Road faithful were celebrating again as, from a promising United attack, left back Myles Perkins intercepted a wayward pass inside his own half and ran half the length of the pitch to put his side further ahead: 3-1.

The visitors would have been pleased to have reached the halfway point, without further incident, although most likely not with the ‘feedback’ they received in their changing room!

Clearly the imperative at the start of the second half was not to concede as, to do so, would likely put the game out of reach. Unfortunately, Mr Tucker had definitely not read that script as he produced a classy strike from way out on the left that rocketed into the net giving Viney no chance whatsoever: 4-1.

Despite this blow, it was soon evident that Bridgy’s response would be positive. As they pressed forward, Tom Llewellyn’s adept free kick found Jack Taylor in space in the left channel. Kingston would have known what to expect but to the surprise of no one the ball was soon nestling in the home side’s net: 4-2 and, maybe, just maybe, it was game on.

As the hour mark was reached, Sam Towler gave way to Adam Wright as the shape was changed to 4-3-3. It was all United now as they poured forward at increased tempo in search of their third. With Morgan Williams replacing George King, Barnstaple were now clearly rattled, and it was that man Thorne, who had scored his first Bridgy goal on debut in the same fixture last season, who slammed home his second to close the gap still further: 4-3.

Ten minutes remained.

If it was ‘game on’ a while back, it certainly was now!

More pressure from excellent approach play saw a home defender head narrowly wide of his own post. Wright, Taylor, and Thorne were creating havoc in the final third as, what appeared to be a clear foul on Wright, was waved away by the referee.

The big question for all, especially the Robin’s supporters now, was how many minutes would be added?  As the 90-minute marked ticked by, the belief, the fitness and sheer dogged determination was palpable as United threw everything at the beleaguered Barnstaple defence.

Time ticked on.

6 minutes added, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, it was past 5 ‘o’ clock!

Another desperate clearance from the home side defence; a booming header from Jacob Spence, it landed at the feet of that man Thorne and, in a flash, the ball was in the net and the comeback was complete! 4-4

This was certainly doing things the hard way, but the team spirit, coupled with mental resilience by the bucket load, ensured that the journey home was a whole lot better than it had been looking around 4 pm!

Bigger challenges lie ahead as Bridgy travel to Southern League Salisbury FC in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 2^nd September.

Time get your pass out shorted!!

Match details:

Bridgwater United

Jake Viney, Jake Llewellyn (Capt), Ross Edwards, Jacob Spence, Jason Quick: George King (Morgan Williams (70), Harry Horton, Tom Llewellyn, Sam Towler (Adam Wright (60): Jack Taylor, Jack Thorne.

Subs: Unused: Dave Thorne, Josh Phillips, Isaac Finch (GK)

Barnstaple Town

Liam Kingston, Callum Laird, Myles Perkins. Joseph Grigg, Brodie Montague, Scott Laird, Charlie Prentice, Matt Andrew, Harry Foster, Stuart Bowker, Billy Tucker (Capt).

Subs: Merson Ham, Nathan Colley, Samuel Bithell, Tommy Rogers, Blake Shapland.

Date: August 26th, 2023

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Mill Road, Barnstaple.

Attendance: 218