A dominant second half display by the Robins ensured that they achieved a quick-fire double over their South Somerset neighbours. Only three weeks earlier these teams had met in Wellington and, after an even first half, United took control and won quite comfortably. This game was similar.

This time United had to recover from going a goal behind but, in the end, the winning margin would have been greater had United converted a higher percentage of their numerous chances.

The United defence looked a little uncertain early on and Wellington could have taken an early lead. In the fourth minute Jake Quick was allowed far too much space. He ran on to a pass by Jack Porter, dithered a bit with the goal at his mercy, and the quick thinking Jake Viney smothered the ball.

At the other end, the influential Tom Llewellyn’s cross deceived Shay Allen a bit. He got a glove to the goalbound cross, and the ball was hacked away from the goal line. Jack Taylor had a chance when he cut inside and aimed for the far corner of the net. It seemed that the ball flicked off Allen, then a defender’s arm and then the post before running out for a corner. United appealed for a penalty but a corner kick was given.

United were having most of the play and winning several corner kicks but it was the visitors who took the lead on 19 minutes. Right back Mark Cornish, the most accomplished Wellington performer, sent a cross over from the right wing. Again, Jake Quick was entirely on his own as he stooped forward to head the low cross goalwards. The ball sneaked in the narrow gap between Viney’s full length dive and the right post.

The 376 fans in the ground didn’t have long to dwell on this deficit before United levelled the score. Responding very positively to going behind, a long diagonal pass from left to right found Taylor in space. He passed inside to George King who advanced into the penalty area. His low drive beat Allen but a defender on the line blocked it. The ball only travelled a few yards to Nick Woodrow who had a simple finish.

The busy Taylor had another shot miss the target by a foot or so and in the final attack of the first half Wellington’s Scott Merritt sent an inviting cross from the left that was missed by all attackers and defenders.

United took the game by the scruff of its neck once the second half whistle blew. Under pressure Wellington conceded many free kicks and corner kicks and the accurate delivery of these dead ball situations was entrusted to Tom Llewellyn. It seemed an inevitability that United would score from at least one of them.

United were winning most of the aerial challenges in the Wellington box. Woodrow headed wide from a Tom Llewellyn free kick and it was the diminutive midfielder who had the ball in the net soon after, following good work by the tireless Mike Duffy. That was ruled out for offside.

Taylor then had a shot blocked. The ball looped up and his left foot volley missed by millimetres. Not much luck in front of goal for United’s top marksman this evening.

Wellington perked up and Porter’s shot had Viney scrambling to save to his left. That was the only time the visitors posed any danger in the second half.

Just past the hour, United went ahead. A free kick by Tom Llewellyn was driven to the far post. Jordan Greenwood timed his run and leap impeccably and his downward header was strong and accurate.

Wellington’s defending was now of the “last ditch” variety as United swarmed all over them. Greenwood headed another Tom Llewellyn corner kick too high, and King headed another corner kick over the bar when it looked like a certain goal.

United then encountered a bit of a problem. Tom Llewellyn was fouled and as he lay on the ground the ball was kicked at his head. It looked accidental. He was understandably annoyed, and that annoyance manifested in dissent and 10 minutes in the sin bin. Who would now take all the dead ball kicks? The answer, of course, would be brother Jake Llewellyn – another fine exponent of the art.

As it was, the temporary drop to ten players didn’t matter much at all as Wellington had little left in the tank. Allen was still the keeper having it all to do. King had a shot blocked but the ball came straight back to him, just outside the area. He met it first time with absolutely perfect precision and power and how Allen managed to push his thunderous shot over the bar, goodness only knows. Great save. He was at it again a minute later to push aside another Woodrow header.

The third goal had to come, and it arrived with a couple of minutes left on the clock. Between them Taylor and Tom Llewellyn (who had been back on the pitch for less than a minute), won possession on the right and, after neat interplay, Tom Llewellyn made space to curl an immaculate low shot to Allen’s left from fifteen yards.

Good entertainment, a fair result, and a positive response to the Millbrook disappointment. Wellington played some attractive and well considered football, but they were overpowered and outrun in the end.

Match Details
Match: Bridgwater United v Wellington
Competition: Toolstation Western League
Date: Tuesday 9th November 2021
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance: 376

Teams

United: Jake Viney, Ross Edwards, Jordan Greenwood, Jacob Spence, Jake Llewellyn, Tom Llewellyn, Harry Horton, Mike Duffy, Jack Taylor, Nick Woodrow, George King.

Subs:Cameron Gauci, Sam Hedges, Harry Durant, Adnan Hiroli, Mark Armstrong.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Mark Cornish, Jason Quick, Jordan Casey, Nathan Byrne, Mason Raymond, Josh Champion, Scott Merritt, Jake Quick, Douglas Camilo, Jack Bown-Porter.

Subs: Miles Quick, Josh Baker, Jamie Vaughan-Ryall, Harry Walford.

Match Officials
Referee: Daniel Bugg
Assistant Referee: Joe Drew
Assistant Referee: Sam Iddon

Who’s next? United travel to Brislington in the Toolstation Western League on Saturday 13th November, 3pm.