Oh well, the winning run had to end some time. Most people would have considered the Robins to be strong favourites to win this one but Wellington’s stout resistance was admirable and the Robins didn’t deserve more than a point.
It wasn’t a great watch. The game had 39 free kicks and 22 of those were awarded against the visitors. There wasn’t a really bad foul amongst them but the game was bitty and lacked flow. The strong wind blowing towards the rugby ground end didn’t aid the spectacle but it is not an uncommon occurrence to play in these conditions at Fairfax Park.
Wellington had the advantage of the wind in the first half and they bossed the first 10 minutes. In previous games United have grabbed the early initiative ( and often the lead) but not this time. In the 2nd minute Jake Quick lifted the ball towards the goal line but Jordan Greenwood was able to clear. Then a long throw from Jack Porter- Bown led to a close -range header from Jake Quick being pushed over the bar by Jake Viney. From the following corner kick Viney had to react very smartly to repel another goal bound header.
United tried to shrug off their early lethargy and Jack Taylor cut inside Porter-Bown to unleash a thunderous drive which careered wide of the left post. That was an isolated moment of attacking intent as the Robins’ players struggled to find any fluency and their quick passing and movement game was largely absent. Matters took a turn for the worse when key man Jake Llewellyn had to leave the game through injury after just 18 minutes.
Conor Hartley raised hopes after 20 minutes, when he fed on a Tom Llewellyn pass and aimed for the far corner. Keeper Charlie Hawkings did well to push it away for a corner. The young keeper enjoyed a fine game.
Ex-Robin Sam Towler had a chance from a corner kick but could only direct the ball wide with his thigh. The delivery of inswinging corner kicks by Jason Quick caused plenty of alarm in the United defence. The long throws by Porter-Bown were also threatening.
Hartley threaded a ball across from the right but Taylor completely missed the ball in the act of shooting and the half ended with Ollie Hebbard not getting enough power when he tried to head a Tom Llewellyn free kick goalwards.
With the wind behind them one felt that United had the advantage in the second half but they immediately almost gave a goal away. Harry Durant seemed to misjudge a headed back pass, into the wind, and presented the ball to Miles Quick.He also misjudged the wind and harmlessly lifted the ball into the arms of the grateful Viney.
The game got even more scrappy. A Ross Edwards header went wide and then Wellington had another good chance. Nathaniel Groom dragged a shot only a foot wide of the left post from 12 yards out.
For the final third of the game most of the action took place in the Wellington half. The visitors seemed to be happy to settle for a point ( and who could blame them?) and they presented a master class in time wasting to frustrate just about everybody.The 6 minutes added on by the referee did not do justice to this part of their performance.
United did have the opportunities to bag the points. From a gargantuan Viney kick , Taylor got behind the defence and his instant shot rattled against Hawkings’ legs. Then with minutes left Taylor shot forcefully towards the near post but Hawkings anticipated well and got in the way of that one too.
Wellington definitely deserved a point because of their solid defending. United were just a bit “off” in most departments. It happens.
Match details :
Bridgwater United :
Jake Viney, Josh Phillips, Jake Llewellyn ( Harry Durant 18), Mark Armstrong (Arthur Furness 88), Jordan Greenwood, Ross Edwards, Morgan Williams, Tom Llewellyn, Jack Taylor, Ollie Hebbard ( George King 70), Conor Hartley ( Troy Simpson 54). Unused sub Sam Hedges
Wellington:
Charlie Hawkings, Stefan Phillips, Jack Porter-Bown, Eli Collins, Tom Stone, Jason Quick, Jamie Nicholson, Sam Towler, Jake Quick, Miles Quick, Nathaniel Groom. Subs Alex Cherry, Joe Wragg, Hasham Ashraf, Mike Murphy, Sam Steel.
Officials:
Referee : Kristian Gould
Assistants: Jake Richards, Andie Lambourne
Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance : 334
Next game : home v Welton Rovers on Tuesday September 6th
- Mark Hollidge
