STREET 1 (Strange 77)
BRIDGWATER UNITED 3 (Spence 52, Murray 58, Taylor 90+9 pen)
The Robins end Street’s unbeaten run
Toolstation Western League Premier
Friday September 15th 2023
It may have gone under the radar for some but going into this game Street were unbeaten in 18 league matches. Together with Helston, they have been the most successful team in this division for many months. The last time that they tasted defeat was at Barnstaple on February 18th – a phenomenal run of form. So United’s win should be seen as highly significant and worthy of praise.
When the sides met in the FA Cup in August United were clearly the better side and Street didn’t give a good account of themselves. In this game however, they matched the Robins toe to toe for much of the game but United’s superior attacking skills pulled them through and lifted the club to 2ndplace in the table after 7 games.
New signing Jay Murray started for United and took up his role on the right side of the attack. He will prove to be a fine acquisition and he was able to mark an industrious performance with a well taken goal. His influence will grow as his knowledge of his team mates abilities develops.
The first half had plenty of industry but not a lot of end product. A motivated home side sought to squeeze the life out of what is normally a very effective midfield unit for the Robins. Both sets of strikers were struggling to get much usable possession in dangerous areas.
The first chance to either side was to George King after 17 minutes. Ross Edwards flicked the ball on from an aerial challenge and Murray got on to the ball. He crossed to near the penalty spot but King seemed a little off balance and his left footed shot lacked direction and flew well wide. Jake Mawford’s free kick was straight at Jake Viney and Jason Quick’s header looked goalbound until striking a defender on the leg and being booted away.
In the last 10 minutes of the half, United could well have gone behind. Two misdirected headers in defence gave Street possession and when the low ball was sent across Vineymanaged to divert the ball enough to deny the lurking Street attackers. Something similar happened a few minutes later . Another low cross/shot from the right had Viney stretching for the ball. Again he got to it but the loose ball seemed to be falling perfectly for the onrushing Street striker. He must score. Fortunately for the Robins, he overran the ball and missed it completely. A close shave to be sure.
Half time – Street 0 United 0
United aren’t used to goalless first halves and they determined to do something about that as soon as the second half got going. There was more pace and snap about them and the first goal wasn’t long in coming. How many times have United scored from Jake Llewellyn corner kicks this season? Well, here was another one. This time his corner kick was powered into the net by the head of the redoubtable Jacob Spence.
Another 6 minutes of domination were concluded with the second goal. Viney should claim an assist for this one because his raking diagonal ball from his own penalty area released the rapid Jack Thorne down the right. Many wouldn’t have kept the ball in play but he did. Even better, he whacked over a cross which was aimed for Murray. He may not be very tall but he can certainly jump high and his looped header went over Jason Hutchins and under the bar.
United now looked in control. A shrewd pass by Morgan Williams set Jack Thorne free. The angle wasn’t too promising and he couldn’t get enough curl on the ball to bend it inside the right post. Street were shooting, inaccurately, from long range and seemed to have shot their bolt. You never know in football and the home team pulled one back. There are still some frailties in United’s defensive effort and it was hard to understand why Kyle Strange was unmarked as he headed a right wing cross across Viney and inside the right post.
Street now demonstrated how they had compiled that long unbeaten run and really took up their cudgels. They won several corner kicks, leading to sometimes quite desperate scenes of flailing limbs and scrambles in the penalty box. An inswinging corner was going in until Viney reached up and pushed it for another corner. However there were no glaring opportunities and United kept the Cobblers out.
It wasn’t exactly good news to hear the referee say that 10 min were to be added on ( 6 in the first half). Football matches nowadays always seem to exceed 100 minutes. Survival of the fittest? As it was, United made better use of the denouement of the match and poached the settling third goal. Jack Taylor is still quick off the mark and he beat both defender and Hutchins to a ball that was flicked forwards. Hutchins scythed him down, was lucky to avoid a red card, and United had the spot kick. Taylor converted it by sending the keeper the wrong way. There was just enough time for Murray to finish the game with a shot which nearly produced a 4th goal.
Who likes Friday night football?
Most people apparently. The recorded attendance was 490 and United fans were at least half of those in the ground. Next up is Clevedon away next Friday in the Les Phillips Cup.
United – Viney, Edwards, J Llewellyn, Spence (D Thorne 79), Quick, Horton, King (Williams 60), T Llewellyn, J Thorne (Taylor 72), Towler, Murray.
Street – Hutchins, Sampson, Mawford, McGuire, Z Collins, E Collins, Horsey, Dickens, Frazer, Ormrod, Strange. Subs. Peach, McKenna, Pfuba.
Report by Mark Hollidge
