After two weeks away from Fairfax Park, Bridgwater United returned home on Saturday afternoon under significantly different circumstances. The intervening period had brought substantial change, with manager Lee Lashenko and his coaching staff having been dismissed. They’d been replaced by a new three-man management team of Shaun Potter, Mark McKeever, and Dayle Grubb.
A hum of curiosity filled the ground as supporters arrived for the 3pm kick-off against Saltash United. How would the team approach the game under new leadership? What changes might we see? As it turned out, the starting eleven wasn’t as dramatically different as many had anticipated, though three debutants were included. Douglas Camilo, Dayle Grubb himself, and Hurd, who took his place between the sticks with Louis Smith suspended.
FIRST HALF
The new management’s footballing style became immediately apparent from the opening exchanges, much to the delight of the fans who sat around me! Bridgwater passed the ball with freedom and patience, probing patiently and trusting one another in tight spaces. The ball moved smoothly along the back line, into midfield, and was recycled when openings failed to materialise. Saltash had little possession in the first 10 minutes but sat compact in a disciplined lower block, looking to hit Bridgwater on the counter.
It was two such counter-attacks that produced the first chances of the afternoon. On 13 minutes, a swift Saltash break ended with a routine save for Hurd, but the opportunity that followed moments later could have been far more costly. Racing forward again, Saltash saw their initial shot blocked, only for the ball to drop invitingly for an attacker in the box with the goal seemingly at his mercy. Fortunately for us, he thrashed his effort wide.
Bridgwater continued to dominate possession, but the visitors remained dangerous on the break. At the 20-minute mark, a long ball wasn’t dealt with properly, allowing the Saltash striker to round the goalie. The ball trickled agonisingly towards the empty net, but somehow struck the inside of the post, allowing a relieved Hurd to gather.
A header from a corner glanced wide shortly after – another warning sign for Bridgwater, who, despite their control, were being tested defensively.
On the half-hour mark, however, the Robins made their possession count. Grubb and Tucker exchanged passes before sliding the ball into Owen Howe, who had his back to his marker. In one fluid motion, Howe controlled, turned, and fired into the bottom corner to give Bridgwater the lead. It was a traditional striker’s goal of great quality.
Moments later, Howe doubled both his own and Bridgwater’s tally. A high, looping cross appeared to pose little danger, but Howe showed excellent initiative to challenge the goalkeeper. Arriving first, he diverted the ball towards goal, where it trickled over the line to make it 2-0. Saltash players protested about a foul on their keeper, but the referee was not interested.
Bridgwater continued to control possession comfortably as the half ended, taking their two-goal advantage into the break.
HALF TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 2-0 SALTASH UNITED
A murmur of approval rippled around Fairfax Park as the teams departed for the interval. Bridgwater had kept the ball superbly and, crucially, converted that dominance into goals. While Saltash had looked dangerous on the counter and were perhaps unfortunate not to have scored, the hosts had shown themselves to be a calm, ball-playing outfit that resonated with the supporters.
SECOND HALF
Within five minutes of the restart, Howe came close to killing the game and claiming his hat-trick. Rising to meet a cross, his header cannoned back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Bridgwater continued to dominate possession, but Saltash’s patience on the counter finally paid dividends. A swift break saw them progress the ball expertly down the wing before a squared pass was clinically finished to make it 2-1.
Bridgwater’s response was immediate and emphatic. Minutes later, Dayle Grubb, enjoying a solid debut, delivered a deep free-kick to the back post. The ball was flicked on, and centre-back Jason Quick reacted quickest to poke home and restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Frustratingly, Saltash responded almost immediately from the kickoff. They moved the ball forward with too much ease, and a long-range, looping header found the back of the net. For the second time, Bridgwater had established a two-goal lead, and for the second time it had been halved.
From this point, momentum shifted noticeably towards the visitors. Saltash began moving the ball with increasing confidence, attacking with pace and purpose that had Bridgwater defending deeper than they had for much of the afternoon.
Hurd kept us in front with a pair of fantastic saves, but from a resulting corner arrived Bridgwater’s undoing. The delivery was half cleared, but the ball dropped down and was tapped in from close range, levelling the scores at 3-3.
Howe, who had been a constant menace throughout the afternoon, nearly snatched a winner in the dying moments. Bringing the ball down skillfully in the penalty area, he attempted to poke it past the goalkeeper but lifted his effort over the crossbar.
FULL TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 3-3 SALTASH UNITED
For the neutrals in attendance, this had been a thoroughly entertaining spectacle featuring six goals of varying shapes and sizes. Bridgwater had kept possession nicely and played some attractive football, while Saltash had executed their counter-attacking game plan with discipline and effectiveness.
Shaun Potter told me, post-match, that the result felt like a defeat, the frustration of surrendering a two-goal lead twice clear. Yet speaking to supporters afterwards, not one expressed any disappointment or frustration. The manner of the performance, with the confident passing, the attacking intent, and the clear style of play, had been received enthusiastically, suggesting bright days ahead.
Owen Howe, who tormented the Saltash defence all afternoon while scoring twice, was deservedly named man of the match. Jason Quick added our third goal.
Thank you to everyone who came to Fairfax Park to support.
We are back in action on the 20th of December, away to Newquay for a 3pm kick-off. A reminder that the club are providing coach transport at just £10 a seat to this game, with under 16s free.
#WeAreUnited
