Four goal Robins away day spectacular

A stunning three goal blitz mid-way through the first half set Bridgwater United up for what was the perfect opening day victory down in deepest Cornwall on Saturday.

Dave Pearse’s re-modelled squad had shown signs of getting it together in the friendlies against Dorchester Town and Weston-super-Mare and with top scorer Jack Taylor having got into double figures which included five against Somerton Town and four against Taffs Well, it should not have been a surprise that the win was so emphatic.

The Robins have now played Helston four times in the calendar year and have yet to concede a goal and last season’s victory at Kellaway Park was eclipsed in style inside half an hour.

The cobwebs from the four-hour coach trip were soon shaken off with Jake Brown and debutant Conor Hartley immediately causing problems but both sides were guilty of wasting set piece plays before Tom Llewellyn tested home keeper Cory Harvey with a curling effort.

What was a frantic start escalated on 19 minutes when Llewellyn drifted another free kick into the box, and it evaded all to go in past an unsighted Harvey with Taylor just missing getting the final touch. Brown was torturing the full back and went close with an effort before the home side suffered another blow when Jordan Bentley limped off, lasting less of the game than last year when he was sent off with Morgan Williams.

Bridgwater did not take long to press home their advantage as on 27 minutes Jake Llewellyn’s inch perfect corner went in off defender Reece Shanley then moments later from a quick counterattack the diminutive Hartley sent over a peach of a cross which Brown tucked home from six yards to make it 3-0 with less than half an hour gone.

Jake Lewellyn and Taylor both went close before the break, but the game was seemingly done and dusted as Helston could not cope with the ferocious intensity and superior fitness of the visitors. Jordan Greenwood was superb in defence while Morgan Williams revelled in the space he was given and for once was not targeted by the home side.

In truth the whole side dominated and after the break there was no let up. On 52 minutes skipper Mark Armstrong found himself in the penalty area and his pass across the box was handled by a prone defender and Jake Lewellyn smashed home the spot kick off the post to seal the deal.

Helston were expected to be a hard opening act with experienced and sought-after men such as Matty Bye, Rikki Shepherd, Steve Colwell, and Jordan Bentley but skipper Josh Storey had the only chance of note, heading down and over from a cross late on but by then the points were heading back up the A30. Pearse blooded two more debutants off the bench in Ollie Hebbard and Josh Phillips and in the closing minutes another sub, Mike Duffy drove wide and Taylor had another effort saved but the 4-0 scoreline spoke volumes.

Bridgwater Utd:

Jake Viney, Dave Thorne, Lake Llewellyn, Mark Armstrong, Jordan Greenwood, Ross Edwards, Morgan Williams, Tom Llewellyn, Jack Taylor, Jake Brown, Conor Hartley.

Subs: Harry Durant, Mike Duffy, Ollie Hebbard, Josh Phillips, George King. (All used)

Helston Athletic:

Corey Harvey, Reece Shanley, Isaac Burdon, Steve Colwell, Joshua Storey,

Jordan Bentley, Tyler Elliott, Matt Bye, Rubin Wilson, Rikki Shepherd, Kai Cornish.

Subs: Harrison Jewell, Sam Carter, Freddie Walter, Nathaniel West, Jordan Copp

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Date: 30^th July 2022

Venue: Kellaway Park

Attendance: 146

Bridgwater United Goals:

Tom Llewellyn 19, Jake Llewellyn 25, 52 (Pen), Jake Brown 27

Officials:

Referee: Darren Gay

Assistants: Ian Pattison Kenneth Swift

Report: Kerry Miller

Preview:

The Robins hectic start to the new campaign continues, on Tuesday when relegated Barnstaple Town visit Fairfax Park for the second league game, ko 7.45pm.

Barum are expected to challenge for an immediate return to the Southern League and they had a one-sided opener on Saturday, beating Bitton 5-0. It will be a swift return for keeper Liam Kingston, who played for Bridgy in the last two Les Philips Cup Finals but has moved up to Mill Road this season and with a number having connections with both clubs a tense and exciting encounter is well on the cards.

Then the squad have another away day, to Barnstaple’s neighbours Bideford, on Saturday in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup, ko 3pm. Bideford, also called the Robins, are placed in the opening round as one of the step four clubs not exempt and again a coach will be going from Fairfax Park with limited spaces for supporters who are urged to book a place this evening.

Pearse’s squad thinned slightly as defender Arthur Furness has decided to join Welsh League Chepstow Town and Sam Hedges has been given the go ahead to get some game time by signing for Hallen FC for an unspecified period.

The U18 side, based at the college, begin their SW Counties Youth League campaign with a home match against new boys BRS Coaching on September 3, by which time they will have played their FA Youth Cup tie at St Austell on Aug 15, ko 7.30.