With their 10th win in 11 games, the Robins have stretched their lead to 10 points at the top of the Western League. Of course, all of the chasing pack have multiple games in hand, but the Robins are doing all that they can to maintain this tremendous opening to the league campaign.
The recent history of games between these clubs shows that they are tight affairs but United, with an extra dose of quality, usually come out on top. This was no exception. United went into this game missing four key players – Jack Taylor (suspension), Tom Llewellyn (unavailable), Jake Llewellyn (injury) and Morgan Williams (injury). The strength of the squad is such that their absence was barely noticed, and the only negative aspect of this game was the unnecessary sending off of Troy Simpson towards the end of the game.
United had to re-jig their formation by playing Ross Edwards in midfield and by playing George King in a more advanced role, supporting the front three of Ollie Hebbard, Jake Brown and Simpson. Both King and Edwards had fine, influential games.
The game was fast paced – a bit harum scarum – especially in the even first half. After 10 minutes, Hebbard had three strikes at goal in the matter of seconds after he raced onto a long forward pass. His first effort was spilled by Daniel Jesionowski and when it came back to him his backheeled shot was blocked. The ball returned to him again and he blasted well wide.
Josh Phillips, looking more at home in the Robins’ defence, curled a super cross onto the head of Simpson. The tall striker couldn’t get above the ball and the ball flew too high. Phillips then made a clearance from deep in his own half which Jake Brown reached first. His finishing has been clinical this season and it was a surprise when he lifted the bouncing ball over the bar with the keeper stranded.
Cadbury Heath started to play more progressively around the half hour and had a couple of sighters of the United net. A stooping header from Nathan Goodwin- Worrall was straight at Jake Viney. A much better chance came to George Boon who had Viney stretching to save one handed.
Just two minutes before the break, United scored. A pinpoint cross from the left, sent in by King, reached the leaping Hebbard. His neat header found the bottom right corner of the net.
United started the second half with a vigour and desire which appeared to knock the home side out of their stride. It only took another two minutes before the second goal came. A King free kick from the left was sent to the near post. Simpson got to the ball first and his header appeared to take a ricochet before nestling in the net.
United now looked well in charge. They were closing down their opponents at every opportunity and sharper to the ball. There were a couple of penalty shouts – one at each end – which, on another day, might have been given.
Simpson thumped a shot over after being forced a bit wide, but Cadbury Heath almost did manage to pull a goal back with 15 minutes left on the clock. After some pin ball in the United box Ali Boyer lifted a shot towards the goal. It was going in until the dependable Jacob Spence got his body in the way and the danger went.
United managed the last 10 minutes without alarms but, with 5 minutes to play, Simpson got sent off for kicking the ball away. His second yellow card of the evening was followed by a red.
With two sendings off in two games, United will need to regain the discipline that was a key feature of earlier matches. There are some tough tests ahead. Nevertheless, this was a generally mature performance and another deserved victory.
Match details:
Cadbury Heath: Daniel Jesionowski, Dan Winstone, Tom Withers, Callum Whooley, Ewan McMillan, Suhayl Ahmed, Nathan Goodwin-Worrall, Ollie Henery, Ali Boyer, Harry Goldspink, George Boon. Subs. Ethan Spencer, Muhammad Jeng, Jordan Schofield, Matt Isaacs, Finn Williams.
Bridgwater United: Jake Viney, Josh Phillips, Harty Durant, Mark Armstrong, Jordan Greenwood, Jacob Spence, Ross Edwards, George King (Merson Ham 70), Troy Simpson, Jake Brown (Conor Hartley 65), Ollie Hebbard (Acey Mead 77).
Unused subs: Jake Llewellyn, Arthur Furness.
Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier
Venue: Springfield, Cadbury Heath.
Scorers: Hebbard 43, Simpson 47.
Officials: Referee: Valentin Pomfret
Assistants: Alex Setchell, Andrew Plummer
Next game: home v Millbrook Saturday September 17th
- Mark Hollidge
