Two goals in as many minutes just short of the hour mark were enough to send Buckland Athletic back down the M5 with all three points yesterday after a seven-goal thriller at Fairfax Park writes Kerry Miller.

A crowd approaching 350 saw the home side twice equalise in a frantic first half but after looking good to go on for the win themselves, the home side were hit by two killer blows in as many minutes from Charlie Johansen and Nathan Cooper and despite a late header from substitute Adnan Hiroli the Bucks hung on for the well-earned win.

Bridgwater had defenders Tom Ellis unavailable, Ross Edwards injured and Jake Llewellyn and Jordan Greenwood suspended but looked busy early on with Mike Duffy causing problems on the right but after Ryan Brereton had a close range effort blocked, Cooper put Buckland ahead on 12 minutes when given far too much time in the box. Harry Horton levelled with a superb glancing header from a Tom Llewellyn free-kick midway through the half which began to be littered with fouls but it took an unfortunate handball to give Buckland the lead again as Richard Groves tucked away the spot-kick.

Bridgwater immediately levelled once more as top scorer Jack Taylor headed home another Llewellyn free-kick but after looking strong the game turned on its head when Johansen snapped up a simple chance and within moments a scramble on the line ended with a linesman’s flag confirming a goal from Cooper. Four minutes from time Dave Thorne’s inch perfect cross was headed home by Hiroli and right at the death with keeper Jake Viney up for a corner, Harry Horton’s drive went inches over the bar and the points were gone.

Boss Dave Pearse will be hoping to welcome back his missing men for Tuesday’s game at Fairfax Park against Bitton and Saturday’s vital FA Cup trip to Wall Park to take on Brixham.

Match Details
Match: Bridgwater United v Buckland Athletic
Competition: Toolstation Western League
Date: Saturday 31 July
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance: 346

Team News

United: Viney, Thorne, Spence, Armstrong, Brereton, Horsey, Duffy, Horton, Taylor, Woodrow, T. Llewellyn.

Subs: Ham, Plant, Hiroli, Sturdy, King.

Buckland: Collings, Belsten, Price, Winsor, Clark, Milton, Scott-Hatherleigh, Cooper, Johansen, Groves, Webber.

Subs: Tucker, Gale, Kear, Fury.

Match Officials
Referee: Kevin Rodd
Assistant Referee: Dylan Bayllis
Assistant Referee: Simon Laraway