Match Report:
Bridgwater United 1 AFC St Austell 0
Bridgwater United faced a much improved AFC St Austell side, losing just one of their last seven matches. The Robins lined up missing injured skipper Mark Armstrong and Mike Duffy but had Kieran Ireland and Dylan Tate making their home debuts.
Bridgy had to wait until the 13th minute to register a shot on target, Ireland setting up teenage full back Riley Willis whose shot was pushed away for a corner by the visitors keeper. Ireland then tried his luck from 25 yards but his goal bound shot was cleared off the line. On 17 Tates shot was saved and Williams follow up was parried for a corner.
St Austell threatened on 21, a direct free kick bought out a fantastic save from Kingston. The visitors striker then shot wide from point blank. Ireland crossed for Tate in the 34th minute but his header was just over. However Tate had a hand in the opening goal just two minutes before the break. He was about to round the keeper when the custodian pulled him down and Taylor slotted home the spot kick for his 15th of the season.
Right on half time Tate got his deserved goal, curling home a stunning effort from the edge of the box. HT 2-0 St Austell pushed for a goal after the break, Sengor and Price defending superbly. On 61 came the first sub, Brown replaced by Chambers. On 63 the visitors almost got a goal back but Carter hit the side netting. Willis was then replaced by Pfupa. Man of the match Tate then made way for Worth, who had scored twice for the Under 18’s in the morning. On 79 Williams sent an effort well wide from 30yards. With five minutes to go Farkins cleared off the line. But a minute later Bridgy put the game to bed as Chambers blasted home from inside the box.
There was still time for a double substitution as Price and Williams made way for Koppa and Townsend. In added time visitors forward Liam Eddy received his marching orders after tangling with Sengor.
The Robins moved up to 13th with this result.
Ft 3-0 Attendance 241
Kingston, Sengor, Willis, Hopwood, Farkins, Price, Williams,Brown, Taylor, Tate, Ireland. Subs: Pfupa, Koppa, Chambers, Townsend, Worth.
John Fournier
