Seventy-three minutes playing with ten men, thirty-two minutes playing with nine men. You cannot win games like that. United’s bad disciplinary record is a cause for concern and is clearly affecting the progress of the club. It could have been worse as you could make a strong case for at least another dismissal on this warm September evening.

With a full complement of players, you could argue that this was a game that United may well have won. Even with reduced numbers they created plenty of goal chances against an Ilfracombe side who were good going forward but less impressive in defence.

Ilfracombe started the game better. In the first minute Ollie Stephens profited from backing-off defenders to run into the heart of the penalty area, but his clipped shot was straight at Jake Viney.

A couple of minutes later Adnan Hiroli had the ball in the net, from a headed Tom Ellis pass, but he was clearly offside.

Ilfracombe’s second attack brought the first goal. The ball was swung over from the right wing and the unmarked Harry Stevens glanced a header just inside the left-hand post. No pressure on the player making the cross, no pressure on the player scoring the goal.

Nick Woodrow drove a shot against the keeper’s legs but then we had the first dismissal. Stevens was causing lots of problems and, despite looking offside, he ran on towards goal. Viney came out of the penalty area to challenge Stevens. Stevens tried to flick the ball past Viney, but the ball glanced against his left hand, possibly after ricocheting off his knee. He was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity. The letter of the law was applied but it was so harsh.

United did not have a substitute goalkeeper so Harry Horton would have to don the gloves and jersey. How would he get on?

So, one goal down and one man down looked bleak, and it got bleaker still when Jack Langford’s strike on the run from the right angle of the area was too well struck for Horton. Valiantly, he did get a hand to the shot.

In the meantime, United had raised some hopes when a long, wandering run from the worthy Tom Llewellyn took him as far as the penalty spot and his low shot was pushed aside by Steve Oliver.

A few minutes later a chipped cross from Woodrow looked ideal for Taylor. He flung himself at the ball but failed to make contact. A good chance.

United were still well in it. There were many long throws from Ellis which Ilfracombe defended solidly and Taylor’s surprise 30-yard shot brought Oliver into action again.

Just before the break, Horton did very well to push over the bar a sharp shot from Liam Short. The small and nippy left winger was causing a lot of problems and United never got to grips with him.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half was notable for the fact that there was hardly any football played. Both teams, especially United, seemed fired up by whatever was discussed at half time. Stevens clattered into Jordan Greenwood near the touchline. Certainly, a foul, maybe a booking but no more. For some reason Jake Llewellyn hurled himself at Stevens in what was, undeniably, a dangerous manner. Most would say he should have been sent off. He escaped with a yellow card.

Five minutes later, the ball was out towards the right corner flag in Ilfracombe’s half. Taylor impetuously lunged at Ed Jenkins and caught him. This may have justified a red card on its own. Taylor had been carrying a yellow card from the 10^th minute and the second yellow meant dismissal.

This was a dire situation now. One expected the Ilfracombe goals account to grow. A few substitutions pepped up the nine men of Bridgwater and they performed with determination and discipline for the rest of the game. Oddly, Ilfracombe went into their shells, and they almost paid for it in the end.

A long throw from Ellis hit a defender on the goal line and almost became an own goal but at the other end Short brought another save from Horton after cutting in from the left.

George King made a positive difference as a substitute, and he was the first to latch onto a long ball. He drove the ball against Oliver and the keeper got up to block the close range follow up by Mike Duffy. Brave goalkeeping.

He was beaten a minute later. Following a corner kick, the ball came to King on the left side of the area. He spun and lifted a left footed cross just beyond the far post. Woodrow met the ball on the half volley with an expert finish.

Was a miracle about to happen? Almost. Right at the end there was a melee in the Ilfracombe area with two shots blocked. Then came the final whistle.

Particular praise should be directed to Tom Llewellyn and Harry Horton. The industrious and skilful Llewellyn was always trying his very best and he, above all others, took the game to the opponents and kept his head whilst others were losing theirs. Horton was simply excellent between the sticks but, of course, his contribution in the middle of the park was missed.

Match Details
Match: Bridgwater United v Ilfracombe Town
Competition: Toolstation Western League 
Date: Tuesday 7^th September 2021
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance: 271

Teams

United: Jake Viney, Ross Edwards, Jake Llewellyn, Jordan Greenwood, Tom Ellis, Tom Llewellyn, Harry Horton, Morgan Williams, Jack Taylor, Adnan Hiroli, Nick Woodrow.

Subs: Wellington Jimenez, Mark Armstrong, Archie Sturdy, George King, Mike Duffy.

Ilfracombe Town: Steven Oliver, Kyle Paine, Edward Jenkins, Jack Jenkins, Scott Huxtable, Jack Langford, Josh Phillips, Charlie Prentice, Liam Short, Harry Stevens, Oliver Stevens.

Subs: Joseph Barker Jed Harper-Penman

Match Officials
Referee: Mike O’Donovan
Assistant Referee: Kristian Gould
Assistant Referee: Louis Cross

Who’s next? United head south to Homers Heath to face Buckland Athletic on Saturday 11^th September. 3pm.