Millbrook 3 Bridgwater United 1

Bridgwater United surrendered their undefeated record in the Western League on Saturday when they lost 3-1 in deepest East Cornwall to a resurgent Millbrook side, determined to avenge the 5-1 defeat at Fairfax Park a few weeks ago writes Kerry Miller.

In truth they thoroughly deserved their victory, clinched in injury time with a sublime finish from Sean Thomson, as they looked hungrier with the Robins only occasionally stringing together meaningful passages of play and spending far too much time arguing with themselves and the officials.

A year ago Millbrook took a 3-0 lead into the final 15 minutes before imploding in spectacular fashion, and having built up a two goal lead inside 20 minutes this time around seemed to be going the same way when Robins’ top scorer Jake Brown halved the deficit just past the half hour. However, the long and tedious journey down plus the two week lay off had taken its toll and the home side were comfortable winners in the end.

Dave Pearse was without influential midfielder Morgan Williams, who is still carrying a knee injury but it was still a strong squad which took the field and from an errant back pass from the kick off were gifted a chance from the resulting corner but Ross Edwards’ downward header was hacked off the line. Tylor Love-Holmes then saw a cross shot whistle just wide before Jack Taylor took advantage of a wind assisted ball forward but keeper Chris Wearing kept out his right foot effort with a smart save. Millbrook were looking dangerous on the counter attack and Josh Johnson turned the defence and beat Jake Viney to give his side the lead on 11 minutes. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Josh Toulson got knocked the ball home from close range with the league leaders’ all at sea but Bridgy’s profligate attack should have done better with Taylor’s free-kick and Edwards’ header not testing Wearing. Taylor then flicked on a delightful pass to Brown who moved inside and curled a beauty in the far corner which should have galvanised the side to move through the gears and although Jordan Greenwood went close with an effort and Jake Llewellyn almost sneaked an equaliser they went in a goal down at the break.

Bridgy began the second half well and had a penalty shout for handball turned down and three consecutive corners tested the home defence before Tom Llewellyn twice had chances but one was blocked and another sliced wide. Pearse rang changes introducing George King, Ollie Hebbard and Conor Hartley but Millbrook almost made it three when Sean Thomson sent a 25 yard dipper goalwards but Viney arched back to tip it over to gain applause around the ground. Bridgwater huffed and puffed but Thomson’s stunning third was nothing more than they deserved and the Robins will regroup before next Saturday’s tasty trip to Shepton Mallet.

Bridgwater Utd:

Jake Viney, Dave Thorne (Ollie Hebbard 80), Jake Llewellyn, Jordan Greenwood, Mark Armstrong (George King 66), Jacob Spence, Ross Edwards, Tom Llewellyn, Troy Simpson (Conor Hartley 73), Jack Taylor, Jake Brown

Unused subs: Josh Phillips, Arthur Furness.

Millbrook:

Chris Wearing, Dave Youldon, Laurence Murray, Caleb Summerfield, Hayden Greening, Ed Goodman, Ben Goulty, Josh Toulson, Josh Johnson, Sean Thomson, Ttylor Love-Holmes. Subs: Jack Wood, Noah Maund, Ash Clelland, Jake Foster, Jason Richards.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Date: Oct 15 2022

Venue: Jenkins Park

Attendance: ?

Man of the match: Jake Brown

Referee: Lee Roberts

Assistants: Andy Chislett-McDonald, Rob Aitken

Report: Kerry Miller

Earlier in the day, United’s college based U18 side bounced back from Tuesday’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Mangotsfield United in the final qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup with a comprehensive 5-1 victory at home to Wimborne Town in the SW Counties Youth League. Two goals from the returning Freddie Haden and one each from Acey Mead, Tom Symons and Preston Hopwood saw the young Robins lead the league table and they have an early chance to avenge the cup defeat this Saturday when they entertain Mangotsfield United again, on the collge 3g ko 10.30am.