While Storm Claudia forced the postponement of fixtures across the country, Fairfax Park managed to get its game on. The investment in pitch improvements by Owner Ian and main sponsor Nigel, coupled with the efforts of Groundsman Nick and our volunteers, ensured that football would be played.
The challenge awaiting Bridgwater was significant – an unbeaten Torpoint Athletic side arriving as the league’s form team. After a disappointing defeat at St Blazey the previous weekend, The Robins needed to deliver a vastly improved performance if they were to get anything from the game.
FIRST HALF
It wasn’t until the 10-minute mark that the first meaningful opportunity materialised. October’s Player of the Month, Jake Llewellyn, found Owen Howe on the edge of the box. The striker controlled well, spun, and fired, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Barely a minute passed before Howe threatened again. Billy Tucker, so often the creative spark, weaved his magic down the left flank before delivering a floated cross that Howe met with a header. The ball drifted narrowly wide of the upright.
Despite Bridgwater’s early control, Torpoint served notice of their attacking threat when Louis Smith was forced to punch a corner clear to the edge of the area. The Torpoint midfielder wasn’t closed down quickly enough, but fortunately, his strike cleared the crossbar.
The end-to-end nature of the contest continued as Kyle Tooze created space for himself before unleashing a shot that rolled agonisingly past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
On the half-hour mark, Torpoint demonstrated why they had been so successful this season. One incisive pass was all it took to split the Bridgwater defence, requiring Smith to produce an excellent save, tipping the ball away at his near post.
As halftime approached, Tucker’s long throws became an increasingly prominent feature. Three deliveries in quick succession found Howe, Walker, and Ford respectively, though only the latter managed to hit the target with his header, which was comfortably held by the Torpoint goalkeeper.
The visitors had the final opportunity of the half, a dangerous cross to the back post that probably should have been converted.
HALF TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 0-0 TORPOINT ATHLETIC
Despite the absence of goals, the first period had provided plenty of entertainment. Bridgwater had shown significant improvement from their disappointing outing at St Blazey, edging proceedings against an unbeaten side that had demonstrated enough quality to suggest the second half would be equally competitive.
SECOND HALF
Bridgwater nearly endured a nightmare start to the second period when another through ball caught their defence flat-footed. The Torpoint striker appeared certain to score, only to completely miscue his effort, sending it harmlessly wide.
The Robins continued to find joy with balls into the box. Howe, a constant aerial threat, saw two shots blocked and a header claimed by the goalkeeper within a five-minute spell as Bridgwater ramped up the pressure.
Their persistence was rewarded on the hour mark when The Robins finally broke the deadlock. Another Tucker long throw caused chaos in the Torpoint penalty area, with Steve Walker’s flick-on being bundled into the net at the far post. Wacko wheeled away in celebration, though a subsequent VAR check revealed it had actually been diverted in by a Torpoint defender for an own goal.
The match entered something of a lull until 20 minutes from time, when Torpoint levelled the scores somewhat against the run of play. It was a frustrating goal from a Bridgwater perspective, a straightforward ball over the top that wasn’t dealt with effectively, allowing the visiting striker to finish clinically past Smith.
Ten minutes later, Bridgwater reclaimed the advantage through a moment of sheer determination from Jack Taylor. Owen Howe challenged and forced a mistake from the Torpoint goalkeeper. The ball fell to a defender, and as he hesitated, Taylor hounded him down. He launched into a committed sliding challenge, and the ball bounced off him and into the unguarded net. Fairfax Park erupted, players, staff, and fans united in celebration of a goal that embodied our Wacko.
As time ticked away, The Robins defended resolutely, ensuring Wacko’s effort would indeed be worth three points.
FULL TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 2-1 TORPOINT ATHLETIC
The final whistle confirmed a victory that was thoroughly deserved. This was a transformed Bridgwater side from the one that had disappointed the previous weekend, fighting for every ball and outcompeting their previously unbeaten opponents from first minute to last. While Torpoint had their moments, there could be no denying that The Robins merited all three points, a fact acknowledged by the appreciative applause from the home supporters as the players left the field.
Manager Lee Lashenko couldn’t hide his delight in his post-match comments, reserving special praise for Wacko for his hard work and the winning goal.
Thank you to all the supporters who braved the elements to back The Robins. Your support makes all the difference.
#WeAreUnited
Images provided by Colin Burnett – https://www.flickr.com/photos/196619592@N08/
