Without ever quite reaching the lofty heights of some recent performances, the Robins had far too much in their locker for struggling Bitton. Two goals in either half was a fair reward for the Robins’ attacking verve and six wins out of six means that all the other clubs in the league are well adrift of United’s 18 points total. United have played more games than  most but they are laying down an emphatic marker.

It did take United a while to get into their stride. Numerous passes forward were over hit and , if anything, Bitton looked the more threatening early on. Jensen Mannings headed wide at the far post from a corner kick and Liam Monelle’s shot was driven into the ground but then deflected off a United defender and freakishly clipped the top of the crossbar.

The first goal was a bit against the balance of play. Jack Taylor was playing in a withdrawn position, behind the front three but he got the scoring started. A defender misjudged the balance of the ball and his misdirected header landed at Taylor’s feet. His 20 yard shot was well struck and accurate but it was a surprise to see keeper Matt Dunk allow the ball to wriggle beneath him and over the line.

United now began to dominate. Ollie Hebbard beat two defenders and had his shot saved and another effort of his from a corner kick was lifted over the bar.

The second goal was scored by Ross Edwards after 33 minutes. The delivery of corner and free kicks by the Llewellyn brothers was as excellent as usual and from Jake Llewellyn’s inswinger Taylor got a headed flick at the near post, the ball raced to the far post where Edwards finished the job with a firm header of his own.  

Dunk recovered well after his early blemish and kept out several goalbound efforts. He saved with his legs on more than one occasion. Both Tom Llewellyn and Jake Brown went close but the half time score remained 2-0.  

The Robins appeared a bit restrained after the resumption and we saw more of what Bitton could do. After Jacob Spence headed just over following a headed pass by defensive partner Edwards and another attempt was cleared from the Bitton goal line, the visitors could have scored. United were giving the ball away and from one of these instances, on 61 minutes, Jesse Howe advanced on goal and struck the far post. Straight after that the referee awarded an indirect free kick to Bitton , although at first it looked like he was signalling a penalty. It wasn’t clear why this awarded. Howe shot over the bar. 

As has now become the custom , United made all five substitutions during the last half hour. It wasn’t long before the fresh legs began to tell. On 67 minutes, Troy Simpson manoeuvred into a good position on the by line and his cut back missed out the keeper but Charlie Hitchings ran the ball over his own line.

The best goal of the afternoon was the last one on 72 minutes. In what looked like a rehearsed move, George King passed to Tom Llewellyn and kept on running forward. Llewellyn spotted the run and his little dink landed perfectly on the right boot of King. His volley was a belter. Cracking goal. It would have graced any football match at any level.

In his 20 minutes on the pitch King was very busy. He sliced a long range shot wide and then a well struck drive was repelled by Dunk’s legs (again).

The intricate skills of Conor Hartley so nearly created another goal or two but the Robins had to settle for four on this warm summer’s afternoon.

A competent performance, with some sparkling moments, against a Bitton side who are a pale shadow of their former selves. No goals conceded is always a pleasing statistic and, apart from a slightly loose period early in the second half, you always sensed that United would prevail.

Street are the next team to meet the rampant Robins at Fairfax Park next Friday evening with the memory of the 7-0 drubbing at the Tannery Ground still fresh in their minds. You wouldn’t want to miss it!

Match Details:

Teams :

Bridgwater United : Jake Viney, Dave Thorne (Josh Phillips 79), Jake Llewellyn ( Harry Durant 74)Ross Edwards, Jacob Spence, Morgan Williams ( Mark Armstrong 68), Tom Llewellyn, Jack Taylor, Jake Brown ( Conor Hartley 63), Ollie Hebbard ( George King 68), Troy Simpson.

Bitton: Matt Dunk, Sidney Partridge, Jordan Williams, Charlie Hitchings, Ashley Kendall, Jensen Mannings, Liam Monelle, Archie Thayer, Jesse Howe, Harvey Sealey, Allesandro Pellicia.

Subs Fletcher Cripps, Rob Sage, Jordan Cook, Kai Wilson, Jack Dempsey.

Date: August 20^th 2022

Competition : Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Fairfax Park

Attendance: 308

Officials:

Referee: Stephen McCulloch

Assistants: Jonathan Cooper, Andie Lambourne.