Bridgwater United 2 Keynsham Town 1

United seem determined to finish the season with a flourish but they were made to work very hard by their competent opponents. A late winner from debutant Troy Simpson enabled the Robins to move back into 4^th place in the table and extended their unbeaten run to six games.

A cagey first half, with United generally on top, turned into a more open, flowing affair after the break. Judged on overall dominance and chances, United deserved the win.

Simpson impressed right from the off with his mobility and he almost struck gold after 10 minutes. A low cross from Harry Durant reached Simpson at the near post. His instant flick was goal bound but Seth Locke did well to push the shot over the bar.

Five minutes later Jack Taylor evaded three tackles on a run across the edge of the penalty area but, despite going a bit wide, he still fired off a shot that beat Locke but hit the outside of the left post.

The busy George King was attracting the ball like a magnet and looked likely to orchestrate more chances for United. However, the delivery of free kicks was not as good as hoped for and Locke was able to make several easy catches.

Near the half time break Taylor broke down the right but two defenders converged on him, and he shot wide at the near post. At this point Keynsham had offered zero threat.

The second half opened with the visitors looking more determined up front. When a corner kick was headed away it went to Jordan Metters and his volleyed cross turned into a volleyed shot which had to be headed way from near the goal line by Cameron Gauci. Top scorer Will Hailston lashed one too high as It became uncertain as to who was most likely to win this one.

United do often pack some punch at corner kicks but they were missing their main two dead ball deliverers, the Llewellyn brothers. However, King accepted the mantle, and his superb corner kick was rammed into the net by the bulldozing bonce of the immense Jacob Spence. One nil after 54 minutes.

Spence became the goal saver ten minutes later when he won a challenge with Jamie Noble from right under the United crossbar. Noble looked sure to convert a Hailston cross. The challenge was fraught with peril as it could easily have turned into an own goal. Brilliant defending. From the following corner kick Jack Dancey headed over when well placed.

United’s lead was looking a bit fragile, but Taylor raised hopes as his low cross evaded all players as it flashed across the goalmouth.

United have been doing a good job at shutting out opponents, no goals conceded in four games, and it was going to take something special, or a fluke, to break that sequence. It was the latter. With eight minutes left, Metters shot from a central position was nothing special and would have been easily saved if it hadn’t taken a deflection which diverted it just out of Jake Viney’s reach.

The Robins would not settle for just one point and pressed forward for the winner. Simpson tried to beat Locke at the near post when he should have squared the ball to Taylor and Ross Edwards headed wide at the far post.

The winner came after 87 minutes. With King substituted, Mike Duffy took over corner kick duties and he did not disappoint. His kick to the far post was headed back by Edwards and Simpson poked it in from 5 yards.

An enjoyable game on a firm pitch bathed in early Spring sunshine. Both sides gave it their all, no end of season lethargy here. Special mention to United’s two young full backs, Mike Murphy, and Harry Durant. Both could be very happy with their contributions – helped as they were by the peerless, powerhouse pairing of Edwards and Spence!

Match details:

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Date: April 2^nd, 2022

Venue: Fairfax Park

Goals: Spence 54, Metters 82, Simpson 87.

Attendance: 282

Teams:

Bridgwater United: Viney, Murphy, Durant, Armstrong, Spence, Edwards, Duffy, King (Woodrow 75), Taylor, Simpson (Parsons 89), Gauci (Hiroli 65).

Unused subs: Greenwood, Pearse.

Keynsham Town: Locke, Noble, Anstey, Gregory, Grist, Dancey, Purnell, Metters, Hailston, Saunders, Brown.

Subs: Baker, Henderson, Martin.

Officials: Referee: Jake Woolley

Assistants: Dylan Bayliss, Jack Luxon.