The Robins retained their 100 % league record with this hammering of a young, inexperienced Keynsham outfit. In the absence of the unavailable Jack Taylor , Jake Brown helped himself to a four goal haul and there were goals for Jake Llewellyn from the spot, Ollie Hebbard, Ross Edwards and Troy Simpson.
Keynsham have been decimated by the departure of all of last year’s playing and coaching staff and they have decided to promote their Academy side to the first team. Therefore, they have youthful vigour, some talent and energy but they lack the experience for this standard of football at the moment. They will need to learn quickly or this season will be a difficult experience.
So United knew that this was a game that they were expected to win comfortably. They ripped into Keynsham from the start and were soon threatening to score. Jordan Greenwood headed a Jake Llewellyn free kick too high and United’s central defender had three more headed chances in the first half, all of which missed the target. In general, Keynsham lacked a commanding presence in the heart of their defence to deal with the aerial stuff.
Brown had already tested keeper Archie Didcott before he opened the scoring on eight minutes. Tom Llewellyn’s pull back from the right was rammed into the net from a few yards by Brown.
The same duo combined soon afterwards but Brown was pushed a bit too wide and his shot missed to the left.
Hebbard opened his account for the Robins after 20 minutes. The influential Tom Llewellyn was again the provider. His pass inside the defender was well judged and Hebbard took a couple of paces before shooting low to the keeper’s left.
Greenwood had his headed chances and Simpson’s shot squirmed under Didcott but didn’t cross the goal line.
Keynsham had a rare sight of the Robins’ goal when Tyler Linton profited from a misplaced pass in midfield. He was quick and he closed in on Jake Viney. After being pushed a bit wide his shot hit the side netting.
The third goal for United was three minutes before half time. Brown’s close control in the box invited an untimely challenge. He was floored, it was a penalty. Jake Llewellyn sent the keeper the wrong way.
The second half took a while to get going. Hebbard’s shot on the turn cleared the angle but, for a while, Keynsham seemed more resolute in defence. Previously they hadn’t helped themselves by playing the ball out from the back and not doing it well. Also they began to show their attacking prowess more , with Owen Brain, Jemar Thomas and Linton keen to test the United defence.
Viney had to make his first save on the hour from Linton but this was the prelude to a particularly exciting phase of the game when it rained goals. The only sort of rain we get at the moment!
66 minutes. Josh Phillips raced along the right flank and passed to Conor Hartley. His cross was met on the volley, beyond the far post, by Brown for his second of the night. 4-0
69 minutes. Edwards took aim and fired from fully thirty five yards out and the shot whistled into the net. A stunning shot. 5-0
70 minutes. United still seemed stunned by the brilliance of Edwards’ effort and Linton was able to run through a gap in the centre of defence before lifting his shot over Viney as the keeper approached. Keynsham’s first goal of the season and deserved reward for Linton. 5-1
73 minutes. Another well delivered Tom Llewellyn free kick reached Brown who was lurking close to goal and unmarked. He nodded the ball home. Hat trick. 6-1
78 minutes. Viney had to save well from Brown’s whipped free kick before George King’s superb pass freed Brown who ran on a bit before striking a low, left footed finish. His fourth. 7-1
85 minutes. Tom Llewellyn’s audacious chip over a defender was perfect for Troy Simpson. He drove the bouncing ball into the ground and past Didcott.
Hartley made the keeper save with his legs before the referee brought an end to the proceedings.
Match details:
Bridgwater United
Jake Viney, Josh Phillips, Jake Llewellyn ( Harry Durant 70), Mark Armstrong (Jacob Spence 55), Jordan Greenwood, Ross Edwards, Morgan Williams ( George King 55), Tom Llewellyn, Troy Simpson, Jake Brown (Dave Thorne 84), Ollie Hebbard ( Conor Hartley 58).
Keynsham Town
Archie Didcott, Dylan Powell, James Bourton, Will Sage, Robson, Billy Brock, Andrew Smelka,
Jayden Johnson, Tyler Linton, Owen Brown, Jemar Thomas.
Subs Sam Archer, Tash Jackson, Amadou Jawo, Jaheim Stewart, Isaac Adebo.
Date: August 9th 2022
Competition : Toolstation Western League Premier Division
Venue : AJN Stadium Keynsham
Attendance : 87
- Report by Mark Hollidge
