Ilfracombe Town 0 Bridgwater United 1

Western League Premier Division

Att 141

A gritty display on a firm pitch with a blustery wind gave the Robins three more points and ensured a happy journey back from North Devon on Saturday but they were made to work hard for the victory writes Kerry Miller.

The Bluebirds have so far enjoyed a good campaign while down the road things have been very different at neighbours Bideford and Barnstaple Town, and they are eyeing a top six finish and it showed as United were forced onto the back foot through good portions of the game and only profligate finishing was the difference between an away win and a league double for the Devonians.

Credit must go to Dave Pearse’s squad, which despite losing almost its entire defensive line to injury, has now kept a clean sheet in seven out of the last eight league games since the debacle at Mousehole.

Harry Durant, Cam Gauci and Merson Ham were all given starts with Acey Mead and Alex Parsons from the U18s on the bench and after a quiet beginning Ross Edwards had the first effort on but his header was comfortably saved by former Robin Steve Oliver in the home goal. Ham did well to set up Jack Taylor who was denied at the expense of a corner before Town countered and Jed Harper-Penman netted with a close range header but was flagged offside.

Liam Short volleyed over just before the break but with conditions not favouring a fast passing game chances were few and it was not surprising that the teams went in scoreless.

Brigdy began strongly after the break and within five minutes had taken the lead. George King slung over a corner and with Oliver under pressure from young Ham, Edwards powered home a trademark header from eight yards.

Town were not going to lie down as they hunted a league double and Short should have done better when he finished a swift counter attack by skying a shot from a good position. Ollie Stevens saw a snap shot deflected wide then Jack Langford twice volleyed over as an equaliser began to look more than likely midway through the second half.

United’s back four of Jake Llewellyn, the returning Jacob Spence, Edwards and Durant all had fine games while Mark Armstrong and the front five toiled well despite few chances being created. King tried his luck from 25 yards before the home side swarmed over the Robins and had shouts for two late penalties, both turned down by referee Scott Robertson. Taylor had a free-kick saved by Oliver late on but the points went to Somerset after what was a match played in a good spirit.

Ilfracombe have the small matter of their storm destroyed clubhouse to contend with in the coming months while Pearse has a juicy cup and league double against Shepton Mallet and league games against Keynsham on Saturday, and championship chasing Exmouth Town on the last day still to negotiate.

Teams:

Bridgwater United:

Jake Viney, Jake Llewellyn, Harry Durant, Mark Armstrong, Ross Edwards, Jacob Spence, Merson Ham, George King, Jack Taylor, Nick Woodrow, Cam Gauci. Subs: Alex Parsons (Gauci 76), Acey Mead (Woodrow 72), Jordan Greenwood, Ryan Brereton, Dave Pearse.

Ilfracombe Town:

Steve Oliver, Jamie Mirow, Cory Roach, Jack Langford, Sam Wright, Scott Huxtable, Ollie Stevens, Charlie Prentice, Harry Stevens, Jed Harper-Penman, Liam Short. Subs: Kyle Paine, Joe Barker, Ed Jenkins, Harry Taffs, Sam Box.

Referee: Scott Robertson, Assistants Adam Leigh and Mark Walker.