Bridgwater United had emerged from their recent travels with credit despite the lack of points. Each performance against strong opposition had showcased different qualities and they’ve performed well, even in defeat. Buckland was perhaps the best of the lot, a great point away from home but perhaps being slightly unlucky not to come away with the win. Even so, it was four games without a win, and returning manager Dave Pearse, despite expressing wanting to build for next season, would surely be keen to get off the mark.
Helston Athletic came into the game on a similar run. Recent form showed just one victory in five league games, suggesting this might be the opportunity for Bridgwater to finally convert good performances into three points on the road.
Dave Pearse kept faith with the side that had earned a draw at Buckland, the only change seeing Douglas Camilo return to the bench after recovering from injury.
FIRST HALF
Bridgwater started purposefully, immediately signalling their intent to take the game to their hosts. Five minutes in, Haydan Chambers found Jake Llewellyn down his favoured left flank, the full-back’s cross met on the volley by Liam Winter, though his effort sailed over the crossbar.
The early exchanges favoured the visitors, and on the ten-minute mark, a slice of fortune enabled them to break the deadlock. A wayward pass to a Helston defender fell straight into Winter’s path. He quickly fed Wacko, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Wacko made no mistake, slotting the ball calmly around the keeper before wheeling away in celebration.
Helston’s response proved catastrophic. Chambers was released through on goal by Wacko’s intelligent pass, only to be cynically hacked down by the last defender. The referee had no hesitation, producing a rightful red card that left the hosts facing 80 minutes with ten men.
What followed was a period of sustained Bridgwater dominance. They pressed relentlessly, monopolising possession and creating chance after chance. Lloyd Mills connected with a corner but couldn’t direct his effort on target, while Wacko had the ball in the net only to be denied by the offside flag.
On the half-hour mark, a gilt-edged opportunity went begging. Chambers, whose pressing and running had been a constant feature, skinned his marker before delivering the ball on a plate for Morgan Williams from just yards out. It looked easier to score than miss, but somehow the ball went over the bar.
The chances continued to flow. Winter forced a save, Wacko went close again, then Winter drew another stop from the Helston goalkeeper, followed by Chambers testing him once more. Wave after wave of Bridgwater attacks crashed against the home defence, yet frustratingly the second goal remained elusive.
Just as it seemed Bridgwater would reach the interval with only a slender advantage, Williams made amends for his earlier miss. The Helston goalkeeper inexplicably rushed way out of his penalty area to challenge Chambers for a long kick. Chambers won the contest, then delivered a cross to Williams who brought the ball down before finishing into the bottom corner to double the advantage.
HALF TIME: HELSTON ATHLETIC 0-2 BRIDGWATER UNITED
The red card had undoubtedly provided Bridgwater with a significant advantage, yet they had scored before that dismissal and shown attacking intent from the opening whistle. Their lead was thoroughly deserved, and with Helston looking increasingly disorganised at the back, confidence must have been sky-high that more goals would follow.
SECOND HALF
It took just five minutes of the second period for Bridgwater to extend their advantage. Llewellyn found Winter at the back post, who brought the ball down before finishing superbly into the top corner.
Barely had play restarted when Wacko made it four. A neat pass split the Helston defence and once again he finished clinically when presented with a one-on-one opportunity.
Helston had barely threatened all afternoon, and on the hour mark Bridgwater added a fifth. Winter played a perfectly weighted chip over the defence for Chambers, who had been outstanding throughout, to finish between the goalkeeper’s legs – a thoroughly deserved goal for his performance.
The whistle had barely sounded before the sixth arrived, the best goal of the afternoon. Bridgwater passed the ball around with confidence and swagger before Winter slipped through Harry Horton, who finished beautifully into the top corner to cap a great team move.
It had been the perfect hour for Bridgwater, but proceedings took an unexpected turn. Whether through over-confidence or a loss of shape following a triple substitution, Helston suddenly sparked to life.
On 70 minutes, they pulled one back. A pass split Jason Quick and Toby Lawrence – both defenders would likely want another opportunity to deal with that situation – allowing the striker to finish past Louis Smith.
What seemed merely a consolation became something more moments later when Helston added a second. Eerily similar to the first, a through ball found the striker one-on-one with Smith, the ball slipping under him to make it 2-6.
Over the next ten minutes, Smith was forced into two smart saves to prevent further damage. It was a strange set of circumstances, a team that had offered nothing for an hour suddenly pushing forward with confidence when four goals down, and finding considerable success. The result was never truly in doubt, but anxiety was creeping into Bridgwater’s play.
Then came the afternoon’s most bizarre sequence. On 80 minutes, Helston were awarded a penalty. Smith dived to his right and clutched the ball, earning cheers from the traveling support. However, the linesman’s flag shot up, calling for a retake. No matter – Smith saved in exactly the same fashion and earned even bigger cheers. To the bemusement of players and supporters alike, the linesman then raised his flagged for a third retake. A brief discussion ensued before he was overruled by the referee and play continued.
From there, Bridgwater regained their composure and shape, seeing out the remaining minutes without further incident.
FULL TIME: HELSTON ATHLETIC 2-6 BRIDGWATER UNITED
The numerical advantage certainly helped, but even accounting for that, Bridgwater had played some fantastic football. They kept the ball on the deck, utilised the width intelligently to stretch Helston’s low blow, and penetrated the penalty area repeatedly. The goals were well-taken, though with even sharper finishing the tally could have been higher.
Then came that peculiar ten-minute spell. The result was never in danger, but Pearse – whose focus has been on maintaining standards – will be keen to ensure such lapses don’t become habitual.
Speaking after the match, the manager expressed delight at both the result and the volume of chances created. A good result at Buckland followed by a productive week in training had built confidence that the players delivered upon.
Any number of players could have claimed Man of the Match honours, with Wacko and Chambers particularly impressive, but it was Liam Winter who received the accolade.
Goals: Wacko x2, Williams, Chambers, Horton, Winter
Many thanks to our fantastic away support, who travelled in excellent numbers as they always do.
Bridgwater are next in action, again away from home, against Bradford Town on 14th March for a 3pm kickoff. Coach travel will be available, so keep your eyes on our socials.
UP THE ROBINS!
#WeAreUnited
