Bridgwater United 2 Falmouth Town 3
Fairfax Park has been a fortress in league matches this season but Falmouth managed to lower the drawbridge and cause some havoc once inside. They were the better side on the day, carried more goal threat, and you could not dispute that they earned the win.
The weather was blustery but both teams were intent on playing an open style of football. Falmouth had Tim Nixon and Olly Walker playing wide on the wings and quite frequently they managed to pull the Robins’ defence out of shape and create space for Luke Brabyn in the middle. It only took 4 minutes before the visitors took the lead for the first time. The ball was worked in from the left by Walker who found Nixon near the penalty spot and on his own. He sent keeper Steve Phillips ( the former Bristol City keeper) the wrong way and rolled the ball inside the left post.
United’s response was very positive. Jack Taylor missed making a connection with a raking Ross Edwards cross when well placed but he did better in the 8th minute. Jack Thorne tricked his way past a defender and laid the ball on a plate for Taylor. His measured side footed shot was too good for keeper Morgan Coxhead. Oddly, the Falmouth keeper played the entire game wearing goggles. It might set a trend!
A super shot from 25 yards by Andreas Calleja Stayne was going in until Phillips flipped it over and Nixon had another sighter when a clearance fell at his feet. He tried to chip Phillips but it was held. With Falmouth still in the ascendancy, Tom Annear tried a free kick from 35 yards out. He got incredible power into the shot and it thumped the crossbar but stayed out.
United, unusually dressed in their white strip, were struggling to keep Falmouth out and it was no surprise when the Cornishmen took the lead again on 34 minutes. A ball was floated over from the left towards the unmarked Walker and his header was too easy.
As before, United responded well. From a Jake Llewellyn free kick Thorne seemed to be unsure of his positioning and headed wide. Another Llewellyn free kick reached Jacob Spence ,who had a great chance. His header went straight at Coxhead but would have been a goal a foot either way.
The first half ended with Falmouth missing a great chance to create a two goal cushion. Some clever footwork on the left by Brabyn teed up Walker for a volley he sent a foot wide.
Half time : Bridgwater United 1 Falmouth Town 2
Four minutes into the second half it was Falmouth again who were looking the most like scoring the next one. Central defender James Ward was outstanding in both defence and attack and his header from a pinpoint Nixon corner was cleared from the line by Llewellyn.
Battling Bridgy got it level again after 55 minutes. George King’s free kick, deep into the Falmouth box, was knocked in by Spence from inside the six yard box. A bit against the run of play.
Falmouth still fancied their chances of getting the win. Brabyn volleyed wide and Nixon dribbled around Phillips and rolled the ball towards the untenanted goalmouth but nobody could get the vital touch. Walker went even closer when his shot from a tight angle rolled against the crossbar. Walker looks to have plenty of talent.
United were rarely troubling the Falmouth defence now and the third and decisive goal wasn’t unexpected. The method wasn’t unexpected either. United conceded a succession of corner kicks in the last half hour. Each one was accurate and aimed for the towering Ward. In the 78th minute he made a clean connection with Nixon’s corner kick and the ball entered the net near the left post.
Could United rally for the third time? No, they couldn’t. They looked a bit down on energy and Falmouth played out the closing phases without undue concern. Their vociferous band of followers were well rewarded for their unswerving support by watching their team play well and earn all the points. Based on this display you had to wonder why Falmouth haven’t been amongst the league leaders this season.
Match details:
Teams: Bridgwater United: Phillips, Edwards, J Llewellyn, Greenwood, Spence, King ( Armstrong 75), Williams, Taylor, J Thorne ( Mabia 87), Towler (T Llewellyn 75), Brown ( Hartley 87). Unused Smith
Falmouth Town : Coxhead, Swan, Annear, Kellow, Gordon-Dunn, Ward, Walker, Calleja-Stayne, Brabyn, Hutchison, Nixon.
Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier
Date: April 10th 2023
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance: 340
Referee: Kevin Slade
Assistants: Nicholas Holland, Adrian Holmes.
- Report: Mark Hollidge
