Match Report:
Bridgwater United 1 (Josiah McKayle 84)
Falmouth Town 4 (Oscar Massey 1, Luke Barner 10, Jared Sims 62, Rubin Wilson 71)
This game marked the return of ‘The Robins’ to Fairfax Park for a league game for the first time since the heartache of the last minute 0-1 loss to Clevedon Town 77 days previously.
Quite rightly, this encounter was previewed as the Toolstation Western League Premier Division ‘match of the day’ with the visitors in 4th looking to bounce back from their 6th Round FA Vase defeat in Essex last Saturday, and United, with Andy Llewellyn back at the helm, hoping to replicate their strong performance at Bickland Park in early January, and to consolidate their position in the top five.
On a pitch that was, once again, a credit to hard work of the grounds team, it was the visitors who were quickly into their stride as they quickly profited from an error in defence that gave Massey the opportunity to slide the ball past the exposed Purnell to give his side the lead with less than 60 seconds gone. 0-1.
This setback appeared to galvanise the home side as they were soon pushing forward and creating several half chances none of which troubled the Falmouth ‘keeper. As the game settled the visitors’ midfield began their domination of the key exchanges as their incisive passing continued to trouble the United rearguard.
With just 10 minutes gone, a quality ball into the left channel provided Barner with a half chance that he finished with aplomb, driving the ball into the top left hand corner giving Purnell no chance and doubling his sides lead. 0-2.
This was clearly not the start the Robin’s supporters had expected as their usual vocality was drowned out by the rhythms of the now joyous ‘F Troop.’
With the United midfield continuing to struggle to gain a foothold in the game, things were looking dire as the pace of the Falmouth attack saw a one-on-one effort fly wide of Purnell’s right-hand post. A real let off.
The home side were now looking to smash the ball long at every opportunity in an attempt to negate the prowess of the Cornish side’s midfield, and it was the lively Taylor who almost profited as his excellent control saw his first-time strike hit the side netting.
The Falmouth attack were clearly enjoying the space created and United were indebted to Purnell as his outstanding close range save on the edge of the 6-yard box, ensured United’s task was not made greater still.
However, with 5 minutes remaining of the half, the task of getting back into the game was made tougher as Jake Llewellyn’s heated exchange with the referee saw The Robins’ Captain sent to the sin bin.
Mark Armstrong replaced Sam Hedges at the interval and soon slotted back into his now accustomed role in the back four. This change along with the arrival of Adam Wright, who had replaced Josh Phillips, looked like it may pay off as, on 50 minutes, Jack Taylor’s back header was superbly saved by the Falmouth ‘keeper.
Within minutes, Jack Thorne was brought down in the box.
Was this United’s lifeline? Sadly, it was not.
Wright stepped up confidently only to see the ‘keeper guess correctly and repel his effort. A further moment of hope for the Bridgy faithful arrived moments later, but Taylor’s effort was disallowed for what appeared to have been adjudged hand ball.
These scares prompted a positive response from the visitors as they re-established control of the game with further quality strikes from Jared Sims and Rubin Wilson. With 10 minutes remaining, Josiah McKayle replaced the hardworking Taylor, and it was his deflected effort that reduced the deficit to three with six minutes remaining.
United’s frustrations, in a game in which they well beaten, resurfaced late on as Tom Llewellyn’s dissent saw him, like his brother earlier, dismissed to the sin bin.
By all measures, this was a disappointing outcome.
With nine games remaining, ‘The Robins’ now sit in 4th but with leaders Helston Athletic the visitors on Tuesday and a run of tough games beyond that, their play-off ambitions look challenging.
United: Luke Purnell, Josh Phillips (Adam Wright 52), Dave Thorne, Jason Quick, Sam Hedges (Mark Armstrong 46), Jake Llewellyn, Tom Llewellyn, Jay Murray, Ben Griffith, Jack Taylor (Josiah McKayle 79), Jack Thorne.
Subs Unused: Fin Koppa, Fran Sousa
Falmouth Town: Morgan Coxhead, Bradley Leivers, Tom Annear, Luke Barner, (Luke Brabyn 86) Jacob Grange (James Swan 58), Andreas Calleja- Stayne (Tom Fisher 70), Oscar Massey, Jared Sims (Cameron Hutchinson 81), James Ward, Jack Webber, Rubin Wilson.
Competition: Toolstation Western League, Premier Division
Attendance: 334
Venue: Fairfax Park
Date: 16th March 2024
Report: Bob Buckingham
