Bridgwater United 4 ( J Llewellyn 50, King 56, Taylor 61, 64) Street 0
FA Cup Preliminary Round
August 18th 2023
UNITED TO THE FOUR
The rampaging Robins maintained their average of 4 goals per game but it could have been many more. This was a similar performance , and identical scoreline, to the Welton game. The main difference was that United were held goalless for the first half. However, this just opened the door to a devastating 20 minutes spell after the break which broke the spirit of the visitors.
Friday night football at Fairfax Park rarely disappoints and the big crowd was again treated to a top class performance. United completely dominated a subdued Street outfit who had made an encouraging start to their own season. Only some uncharacteristically wayward finishing, and some good goalkeeping, in the first half, kept Street in touch. Once the first goal was scored it was a question of “how many?”
United welcomed Jake Viney back to the starting line up, after his long absence through injury, and he was able to ease his way back without having to do too much. Apart from having to rescue the ball from an extended goalmouth scramble in the first half , he wasn’t called to make any saves by the toothless Street attack. Street had a handful of corners and a goalbound shot from Z. Collins was blocked by Jacob Spence. Other than that, it was all United.
Adam Wright replaced Jack Taylor in the attack and he had several chances to score in the first half. His normally lethal finishing , usually hitting the target, deserted him for this game. A shrewd Harry Horton ( brilliant again) pass gave Wright a shooting chance early on but he pulled his shot inches wide.
A forceful Tom Llewellyn shot was deflected wide, a George King left footer was saved and then a truly ferocious drive by United’s talented midfielder was parried by the keeper towards the onrushing Jack Thorne, whose immediate left footed shot hit the right post.
Like his strike partner, Jack Thorne didn’t have the best of fortune with his finishing and after wriggling free from a defender he shot a foot wide. With half time approaching Wright raced after a defender’s back header but again shot wide. Right on half time United looked sure to score. The elusive Thorne got free on the right and his shot was partially saved. The ball spun from the keeper and Wright, lying on the ground and near to goal, couldn’t get the right angle to divert the ball over the line.
Half time United 0 Street 0
There may have been some frustration with the scoreline at half time but those thoughts were banished once the game got going again. Horton strode forward and hammered a shot which was well saved but it came back into play and Jake Llewellyn won the race to thump it over the line.
In the next attack a sublime free kick from Tom Llewellyn was pushed over the bar, a good save. Moments after that it was 2-0. There are times when King shows a resemblance to the great Glenn Hoddle and there was a similarity to the Spurs man when, after losing the ball and then regaining it, and having a short dribble, he suddenly spanked a 25 yard drive into the net.
It was turning into a turkey shoot now with every attack looking loaded with goals. Thorne was fouled by Jake Horsey well into the penalty box and Taylor, with his first touch of the ball, put the penalty away. Within another minute Thorne was fouled again on the verge of scoring. This was a more clear cut penalty then the previous one but the referee didn’t see it that way.
The scoring ended when Taylor broke clear and rounded the keeper for a simple finish. There were still 25 minutes on the clock and several more goals looked likely against a tired looking defence who had played just 48 hours before.
It wasn’t for the want of trying that the score stayed at 4-0. Thorne dispossessed Callum Corbridge but the shot was saved and Taylor , keen to bag another hat trick , was denied by the outside of the near post. As the rain teemed down, Sam Towler had a goalbound shot deflected just wide. Commanding and cool in possession, Towler was one of many to shine brightly in the Fairfax Park floodlights.
Another stand-out performer was Ross Edwards in his current attacking wing back role. He didn’t need to defend much and he was highly effective as the retainer of possession and instigator of a lot of menace. Perhaps it is a bit unfair to single out individuals as it was another consummate team performance but, there you are , I have done it!
Wembley moves a step closer. Whoever United face in the next round will not fancy getting past the ebullient Robins, home or away.
United- Viney, Edwards, Spence ( Phillips 74), Quick , J Llewellyn, Horton (Williams 65), Towler, Wright ( Taylor 57), King, Thorne, T Llewellyn.
Report by Mark Hollidge
