Saltash United 2 Bridgwater United 1

Western League Premier Division

United’s impressive run of away wins came to a shuddering halt last night at a drizzly and murky Kimberley Stadium when they went down to a home side which played an hour with ten men and did not cope well enough with the conditions.

Losing influential midfielder Tom Llewellyn to a knee injury inside 15 minutes did not help but the home celebrations at the final whistle showed how much they wanted the win which puts them in the top five, just behind the Robins but with two games in hand.

Dave Pearse was without Jordan Greenwood and Sam Hedges and named U18 defender Mike Murphy on the bench but at around 5pm the match seemed in doubt as the rain came in from the west but heroic work from the home side and an early decision from referee Ryan Cornelius made sure there was no repeat of the fruitless FA Vase journey a couple of seasons ago.

The opening play was uneventful with a swirling wind and rain making life awkward until Bridgy were dealt a blow when Llewellyn limped off following an accidental coming together in midfield which meant Adnan Hiroli was introduced. The home side were looking busy and Sam Farrant had a shot deflected just over for a corner before they took the lead midway through the half. Callum Martindale fed Reece Thompson and the giant striker showed good skill to crash home the opener past Jake Viney. Hiroli then put Jack Taylor through on the half hour but his shot was parried by Ryan Rickard then Martindale went from hero to villain as his out of control lunch on the escaping Taylor brought him a straight red with the ensuing melee seeing Mike Duffy earning a caution. Morgan Williams followed him into the book soon after meaning Bridgwater’s midfield had lost one and had two on eggshells for the rest of the game.

George King fired over after a free-kick had come out to him 20 yards out but United could find little rhythm and went in a goal down.

On the restart United looked more determined with the elements more in their favour and Williams set up Sam Crumb whose effort was saved and Taylor rolled a shot wide when let through from a defensive mistake but at that point it looked a matter of time before the goal arrived but when it did it was at the other end and against the run of play. Sam Hughes got in behind the defence and the powerfully built striker smashed home the second to bring a roar from the crowd which belied the fact that there were only 80 odd in the ground. Hiroli joined the others in the book on the hour but with 15 minutes left the fightback looked on as Jake Llewellyn’s cross was powered home by Jacob Spence from close range.

Llewellyn’s wind assisted crosses were causing no end of problems and Danny Lewis almost sliced into his own net from another then Mark Armstrong shot over and Spence saw Rickards save well late on but Saltash held on and United’s thoughts turned to Helston at home on Saturday and the Les Phillips Cup tie with Radstock Town on Tuesday night.

Saltash United:

Ryan Rickard, Dave Barker, Callum Martindale, Sam Leary, Charlie Elkington, Alfie Wooton, Rubin Wilson, Sam Farrant, Sam Hughes, Reece Thompson, Danny Lewis. Subs: Alex Cairo, Tom Harris, Neil Slateford.

Bridgwater United:

Jake Viney, Lake Llewellyn, Mark Armstrong, Jacob Spence, Ross Edwards, Mike Duffy, Morgan Williams, Tom Llewellyn, George King, Jack Taylor, Sam Crumb. Subs used: Cam Gauci, Adnan Hiroli. Not used Mike Murphy, Harry Durant, Mark Brereton.

Attendance: 86

Referee:

Ryan Cornelius, Assistants Bryan Holden and Paul Redding