Welton Rovers 2 Bridgwater United 1

Bridgwater United lost more ground on their Western League title challengers on Saturday when they went down to an impressive Welton Rovers side determined to gain revenge for the defeat at Fairfax Park earlier in the season. Already decimated by injuries and suspensions manager Dave Pearse could have done without a no-show from Troy Simpson which meant young striker Jack Thorne ploughed a lone furrow up front with Tom Llewellyn playing wide right and higher up with Ollie Hebbard wide left.

Sadly defensive frailties once again saw United disappoint their travelling supporters who also saw the team fail to finish with 11 men for the sixth time in eight games when Tom Llewellyn finally talked himself into referee Luke Iles’ sin bin with minutes to go and his side chasing a winner.

Rovers were on a roll and are unbeaten in the league at home since October but could have gone behind when Llewellyn almost set up Hebbard who was inches away from connecting from a cross early on. It didn’t seem to matter as on 15 minutes Jake Llewellyn’s cross from the left was powered home by the head of Thorne at the near post. Jacob Spence then drove forward and his goal bound effort was deflected inches wide of the post with home keeper Dominic Oakes beaten. Thorne’s skill then set up a cross for Sam Towler who tested Oakes with ten minutes left but he gathered at the send attempt but United then pressed self destruct as a defensive error presented Toby Cole with a one on one with Jake Viney but he was up to the task and saved well.

After the break Hebbard had a penalty shout turned down then Tom Llewellyn and Towler combined for Spence’s header to be gathered by Oakes before Llewellyn’s free-kick was fumbled by Oakes for a corner on the hour and at that stage a Bridgy win was on the cards. Sadly minutes later it disappeared as another tangle at the back presented Cole with enough room to lob Viney from 20 yards and the scores were level.

Thorne then turned on the burners with a fine piece of skill before setting up Towler whose effort was saved and his busy day continued as he was cautioned for a foul along with Thorne, who clashed with defender Archie Morris who promptly conned referee Iles by clutching his head in agony and crashing to the ground. Morris was Welton’s man of the match but in truth should be ashamed.

From there Welton used up their remaining lucky charms as substitute Conor Hartley calmly slotted past Oakes only to be denied by an offside flag and Towler side footed over after more good work from Hartley. Almost inevitably, just into stoppage time a corner was not cleared and home substitute Jaiden Savery gave his side a victory to begin wild celebrations.

With Morgan Williams and Jake Brown still some way off fitness and others in the squad playing through knocks, the next few games will determine the season’s destiny and Saturday’s crucial FA Vase tie at home to Combined Counties League leaders Ascot United the biggest game so far.

Welton Rovers:

Dominic Oakes, Archie Morris, Tom Diamond, Joe Paradise, Joe Garland, Scott Hatcher, Lewis Russell, Callum Elms, Will Gould, Ben Wych, Toby Cole

Subs: Jaiden Savery, Billy Manning, Joe Ellis, Kai Williamson, Owen Punselie.

Bridgwater Utd:

Jake Viney, Jake Llewellyn, Mark Armstrong, Ross Edwards, Jacob Spence, Sam Towler, Jordan Greenwood, Jack Thorne, Tom Llewellyn, Ollie Hebbard (Conor Hartley 66), George King.

Unused sub: Dave Thorne, Sam Hedges.

Competition: Western League Premier Division

Date: Feb 4 2023

Venue: West Clewes

Attendance: 120 app

Man of the match: 

Referee: Luke Iles

Assistants: Stephen Fearnley, Duncan Clarke