The Robins’ bandwagon just keeps a-rolling on. Although Street offered sterner resistance than they managed two weeks earlier, this was a comfortable win on a glorious night for watching football. A season’s best attendance of 543 enjoyed a competitive derby, although the game was dominated by the hosts. After conceding 10 goals and not scoring any in these two games, Street will be happy that they don’t have to play  United again this season.

As has been the custom this season, the Robins set off at a furious pace and had the visitors back-pedalling. The quick and skilful feet of Conor Hartley were causing an abundance of problems down the right wing and his early cross/shot was held at the far post by Alex Rutter. Hartley then had a shot blocked but the ball sat up conveniently and his volley was saved by Rutter again.

To signify that this was a derby, the referee issued early yellow cards to Bradlee Sheppard and Jacob Spence and there was a bit of spice in some of the challenges. It never threatened to boil over.

After 10 minutes Street were hopeful of a goal when a Jake Mawford free kick was held by Jake Viney at the second attempt. After gathering the ball Viney was barged by a Street forward in a scene reminiscent of football in the 1950s, when you could attack a keeper almost with impunity. If he was forced back over the line it couldn’t be a goal because of the foul challenge.

After 12 minutes United took the lead. Jack Taylor had a go from about 20 yards. It wasn’t the cleanest of strikes but Rutter made a meal of it. He failed to gather the ball and Dave Thorne was onto it in a flash. He bundled the ball over the line. The surprise was that United’s stalwart defender was in such an advanced position.

United now looked like scoring whenever they attacked. We saw plenty of clever flicks to accompany swift movement and lots of shots. A Taylor back heel gave Hartley another chance but Rutter again denied him. Taylor’s reverse pass into space allowed the buccaneering Ollie Hebbard to have a sight of goal but Rutter again intervened. Jake Horsey conceded possession to the effervescent Hartley. He set up Taylor for a chance that he would normally convert with his eyes shut. This time he drove the ball too high.

The Robins kept on coming. From a headed Hebbard flick Rutter saved from Hartley – him again! Next a Jake Llewellyn corner kick landed at the feet of Spence just yards from goal. The ball rolled from his foot into the arms of the grateful Rutter.

Street , playing with a packed defence, were doing a decent job in frustrating the hosts and then, just a few minutes short of half time they threatened for the first time. In a break out from defence Korey Andrews got away on the right . He pulled the ball back into a dangerous area and United were grateful that the ever reliable Thorne was able to hook the ball away before Harry Foster could get onto it.

Midfielder Dan Peach , earlier booked for a scything challenge on Morgan Williams, was lucky to stay on the pitch when he committed another poor challenge shortly before the break. Bizarrely, it was captain Jake Mawford who received the yellow card instead of Peach. Maybe the referee, like the rest of us, was unable to read the numbers on the back of the Street shirts!

A single goal advantage was scant reward for the Robins at half time. However the finishing had not been clinical and the delivery of dead ball kicks wasn’t as effective as usual.

The second goal came 5 minutes into the second half. Hartley ran into the box and sent a low shot towards the far post. Rutter couldn’t hold it and Spence swept the ball in from a few yards out.

The second goal probably secured the victory but United wanted more. A rasping shot from Hebbard cannoned off a defender’s legs. At the other end Mawford’s deflected shot was the first save that Viney had needed to make.

The third goal after 84 minutes would have given particular  glee to Hebbard, who was playing against his former team mates. Deep into the Street half, Taylor won an aerial challenge leaving Hebbard to contest the loose ball with two Street defenders. Showing remarkable close control and tenacity, Hebbard wrested the ball from the defenders, ran around Rutter and plonked the ball in the net.

In the last 5 minutes we saw more attacking from Street than we had seen in the previous 85. Testament to their durability and fitness , bearing in mind that their last game was just 48 hours before. A couple of crosses were delivered into good areas but a stretching Kyle Strange sent an effort wide and , in the final act, Mawford’s long range shot was held by Viney.

United, still with a perfect record – 7 wins from 7 games – reign at the top of the table. A sterner test awaits at Buckland on Bank Holiday Monday.Will it then be 8 out of 8?

Match details:

Bridgwater United: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Jake Llewellyn, Mark Armstrong ( Merson Ham 72), Ross Edwards, Jacob Spence , Morgan Williams (George King 58), Tom Llewellyn, Jack Taylor, Ollie Hebbard ( Arthur Furness 85), Conor Hartley.

Unused subs Jordan Greenwood, Jaden Hurd

Street: Alex Rutter, Scott Merritt, Josh Champion, Jacob Dickens, Jake Horsey, Bradlee Sheppard, Dan Peach, Korey Andrews, Jake Mawford , Harry Foster, Kyle Strange.

Subs. Toby Davey, Tom Punchard, Jake Dennis, Jordan Lovibond.

Goals: Thorne 12, Spence 50, Hebbard 84.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Fairfax Park

Attendance: 543

Weather conditions: Dry and warm.

Match officials:

Referee: Simon Laraway

Assistants : Jake Richards, William Mortimer.