Match Report:
Brixham AFC 2 – Bridgwater United 1
Visiting the league leaders Brixham was always going to be a daunting task, bearing in mind our erratic form and the fact that we were missing skipper Mark Armstrong and suspended Preston Hopwood amongst others. With only three subs named as well options were limited. However we started very brightly in front of a crowd of 181. Brixham had the first chance that flew wide before Bridgy took the lead in the 6th minute, Ryan Crawford netting his third in two games crashing in his angled shot off the far post. Brixham dominated the ball and Kingston had to be alert to deal with a free-kick. Winter Taylor and Crawford were looking lively up front with some good combination play. On 24 Farks bullet header was pushed off the line by the Fishermen’s keeper. Taylor was then through on goal, he was bought down but the ref waved play on, not the first strange decision by this official! On 40 Kingston pulled off a superb double save the Price was shown a yellow for a shirt tug, his fifth of the season and a suspension will follow. Worse was to follow as we lost the limping Farkins before the break to be replaced by Koppa. Hopefully he won’t be out too long.
Ht 0-1
On 47 a great move ended with Pfupa being fouled and from the resulting free kick from Winter Crawford header cleared the bar. Crawford was then booked despite his challenge making no contact with the home player. Another fine double save from Liam followed then he saved well low down in a goalmouth scramble. On 59 Bridgy should have scored a second with the best move of the match. A superb ball from Winter switched the ball to Crawford galloping down the left, his cross was inch perfect for the rampaging Brad Pfupa who somehow lifted his effort over the bar. Just past the hour our task got more difficult as Crawford saw red for something he said to the over fussy referee. Duffy then received his fifth yellow of the season for a weak challenge. On 71 Winter shook off his man and tried to chip the keeper, the ball just clearing the bar. Meanwhile the Bridgy goal was living a bit of a charmed life, Pfupa doing well to clear under pressure. Robins sub saw the impressive Winter make way for Freddie Haden. Brixham were throwing the kitchen sink at our goal, the back five performing heroics to keep them at bay. On 78 Kingston produced yet another superb save but was beaten on 80 minutes after another double save, the ball hitting the back of the net at the third attempt. Haden then booked for backchatting the referee. On 84 Brixham were awarded a spot kick following a challenge by Finn Koppa who for some inexplicable reason was shown a straight red. The spot kick was converted, leaving a very bad taste in the mouth and personally I couldn’t get away from that atmosphere quick enough
Report by John Fournier
