The sun has a habit of returning just for our games at Fairfax Park, and Saturday the 13th of September was no exception. Under clear blue skies, the red and white stripes of Bridgwater United took on the blue and white stripes of Helston Athletic – a top-four side who would provide a stern test for Bridgwater as they looked to bounce back from a disappointing midweek defeat to Shepton Mallet.
FIRST HALF
From the first whistle, it was clear that Bridgwater had no intention of dwelling on past disappointments. The Robins started with a purpose and intensity, and within just three minutes, they had their reward.
Jayden Nielsen pounced on some dismal passing between the Helston defenders. Driving down the left flank before finishing neatly into the bottom right corner on his home debut to put Bridgwater a goal to the good.
The momentum was with Bridgwater, and they nearly doubled their advantage moments later. Billy Tucker, operating from the right wing, laid the ball into the path of captain Harry Horton, whose powerful drive cleared the crossbar.
For the opening fifteen minutes, it was all Bridgwater. The Robins were playing with freedom and confidence, and Helston couldn’t live with them. Soon enough, the pressure told once more.
Again, it was Nielsen at the heart of the action. Turning his defender, he strode clear before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Ryan Guppy. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Guppy showed composure to slot home and put Bridgwater two goals to the good.
As the half progressed, Helston remained pinned back. Billy Tucker and Sam Beresford both came close to extending the lead, while Nielsen continued to torment the visiting defence with his direct running.
Around the 35-minute mark, and against the run of play, Lloyd Mills was judged to have fouled a Helston attacker in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Olly Redd stepped up for the visitors. Despite Ben John getting a hand to the ball, Redd’s penalty found the net, halving the deficit with what was essentially Helston’s first meaningful chance of the match.
The goal seemed to briefly unsettle Bridgwater, but they regained their composure to see out the remainder of the half.
HALF TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 2-1 HELSTON ATHLETIC
As the players left the pitch, a murmur of frustration rippled through the home support – but for all the right reasons. That opening forty-five minutes represented perhaps the best half of football Bridgwater had produced all season, and they had deserved to go in with a far more comfortable advantage than the slender one goal lead.
SECOND HALF
Before the second half could even begin, drama struck. Goalkeeper Ben John had picked up an injury and was unable to continue. With no replacement goalkeeper on the bench, it was striker Sam Beresford who volunteered to don the gloves, with Chris Manangu taking his place in attack.
The fluidity that had characterised Bridgwater’s first-half performance was missing as the second period got underway. The game became scrappy, with neither side able to establish consistent possession.
Yet as the hour mark approached, the Robins found the goal they needed. A now-familiar whipped corner from Billy Tucker was flicked on cleverly by Ryan Guppy at the near post, finding Chris Manangu lurking at the back. The substitute made no mistake, poking home to restore Bridgwater’s two-goal cushion.
With a 3-1 lead, Bridgwater began to sit deeper. Josh Ford continued to marshal the defence as Helston began to commit more men forward.
Yet, it was still Bridgwater who looked the more dangerous, counter-attacking whenever the opportunity arose. Both Nielsen and Tucker continued to combine, creating chances that on another day might have put the game beyond doubt.
As the match entered its final stages, however, Helston began to exert sustained pressure. With five minutes remaining, they reduced the deficit once more. A low cross from the left found Max Hill in the penalty area, and he converted through the legs of the stand-in goalkeeper Beresford to set up a grandstand finish at 3-2.
Just minutes after scoring, Helston carved out what seemed a golden opportunity to snatch an unlikely point. Their striker found himself clean through on goal, one-on-one with the emergency keeper. But Beresford rushed out and spread himself brilliantly to make a crucial save.
There was still time for one final moment of drama. Josh Ford, who had been a commanding presence throughout, stooped low to chest a bouncing ball on the edge of the penalty area. Helston players and staff erupted in claims for handball, but the referee waved away their protests, much to the fury of the visitors’ bench.
FULL TIME: BRIDGWATER UNITED 3-2 HELSTON ATHLETIC
As the final whistle pierced the afternoon air, the loudest voice at Fairfax Park belonged to manager Lee Lashenko. Turning to the Robins faithful, he let out a roar accompanied by a Klopp-esque fist pump.
Helston deserve credit for coming on strong in the closing stages, but Bridgwater were the superior side for the majority of the contest and should have had the game comfortably wrapped up long before those nervous final minutes.
Captain Harry Horton was named man of the match for his energetic midfield performance, while the Bridgwater goals were scored by Manangu, Nielsen, and Guppy.
Bridgwater will now turn their attention to FA Vase action, with Newton Abbot Spurs visiting Fairfax Park on Saturday, September 20th, for a 3pm kick-off.
Thanks to everyone who came to support The Robins – we hope the three points made your weekend that bit sweeter.
#WeAreUnited
