Match Report:

Tadley Calleva 4 Bridgwater United 1 – FA Vase Second Round

Bridgy crashed out of the FA Vase at the first time of asking against a very strong Tadley side.

With Freddie Haden and Sully McKenna moving on very late in the week and Liam Winter and Kyle Tooze cup tied the Robins were only able to name one fit substitute, hardly idea for the biggest game of the season. Coupling this with Manager Richard Pears also leaving for pastures new it was hardly the ideal week to prepare . However all that was forgiven as Bridgy took the lead just two minutes in. Jack Taylor was  bought down in the box going away from goal by the home keeper. Ryan Crawford slammed home his fifth goal in just six games to give the Robins an early lead.

However within sixty seconds a slip at the back allowed Tadley straight back in it, Kieran Rodgers hammered home past Liam Kingston.  On ten minutes Taylor clipped the ball to the back post, beating the keeper and Brad Pfupa had the whole goal gaping only to see his header hit the far post and back into the keepers arms. Armstrong then pulled off a fine save and Mike Duffy blocked a shot on the line. But on 25 Bridgy succumbed again, a corner headed powerfully home by that man Rodgers. Taylor picked up a yellow card before a penalty was awarded just before the break for a foul by Pfupa. Rodger’s completed a first half hat trick sending the ball down the middle.

Kai Fisher was subbed at half time with Luke Newman taking his place. An early save by Kingston prevented further damage but then Bridgy began to dominate, Taylor forcing the keeper into a superb save, Crawfords shot rebounded to Duffy but the keeper did well to deal with it. On 65 another Duffy goal bound effort was blocked. Bridgy were  now getting caught on the break, Rodgers missed a sitter and a fine late save by Kingston denied the hosts a fourth. On 92 Pfupas cross found Duffy at the back post but his header goes wide. Then Tadley catch us on the break in the 94th and Miller slots home.

One substitute certainly did not help our cause and questions must be asked, problems in central defence along with a lack of suitable back up cost us this game. We move on to Nailsea in the Somerset Premier Cup on Tuesday evening.

Armstrong, Koppa, Pfupa, Price, Fisher (Newman 46) Llewellyn Duffy Brown Taylor Crawford Hopwood, Subs not used Parker Armstrong

Man of the Match  – Hopwood

John Fournier