Match Report:
Welton Rovers 0
Bridgwater United 2 (Ben Griffith 40, Jack Taylor 63)
‘The Robin’s’ travelled to West Clewes for their fifth consecutive away league game in search of the three points that would ensure they remained in a play off position with eleven games of the season remaining.
The hosts, sitting in 16th were without a win since late October and beset with departures, forcing them to field many young and inexperienced players.
As they were at Brixham the previous Saturday, United were soon on the front foot as they drove forward in numbers looking for an early success that would set them up for a comfortable afternoon.
Despite creating a flurry of half chances in the opening exchanges, the best of which saw Jack Thorne head narrowly over from 10 yards out, Welton’s response was positive. A well worked move down their right forced a timely challenge from Jason Quick as the striker looked well placed to trouble Luke Purnell in the visitors’ goal.
Apart from a well delivered corner that Purnell was forced to palm over the bar, that was the last that was, pretty much, the last that was seen of the hosts as an attacking force in the remainder of the half as they sat back in attempt to frustrate United’s efforts. That tactic proved to be sound, as a combination of some profligate finishing and the outstanding efforts of Alfie Hamblin, the young Welton ‘keeper, kept the United attack at bay.
However, as the pressure continued to build the visitors were awarded a free kick 35 yards out. With Tom Llewellyn standing over the ball, the United faithful were anticipating a repeat of his effort at Farnham. Instead, a quick layoff to Ben Griffith saw the ball fizz into the top left corner on 40 minutes. 0-1.
With the interval fast approaching, a rare Welton attack created a half chance for the hosts’ number 9, but it was, once again, that man Quick who lived up to his name with a top-quality block to ensure his side retained their narrow lead into the break.
The second period followed the pattern of the first with the Welton youngsters defending for their lives with Hamblin pulling off a series of outstanding saves to stymie the United attack.
With just over an an hour gone, the ‘keeper was more than a little unfortunate as Jack Taylor borne down on goal in the right-hand channel. Taylor’s snapshot appeared to bobble in front of him and the ball was in the net in a flash to double the United’s advantage. 0-2
United continue to drive forward for the remainder of the half in search of further reward but, despite the introduction of Josiah McKayle, Adam Wright, and Fran Sousa, the defensive efforts of the home side ensured that there would be no addition to the scoreline.
Most observers would agree that the overall performance fell some way short of the standards set in the early months of the season, but this was another game where the primary objective was to secure the three points and ensure that United’s promotion challenge remained on track.
Tougher encounters lie ahead!
Home games v Falmouth Town (Saturday 16th March) and Helston Athletic (Tuesday 19th) will be anticipated with much relish.
You wouldn’t want to miss either of them, would you?
United: Luke Purnell, Finn Koppa, Josh Phillips, Jason Quick, Mark Armstrong (Capt) George King, (Sam Hedges 52), Tom Llewellyn, Jay Murray, (Fran Sousa 80), Ben Griffith, Jack Taylor, (Adam Wright), Jack Thorne (Josiah McKayle 79)
Welton Rovers: Alfie Hamblin, Max Dyer, Caleb Summerfield, Joe Paradise, Jacob Shore, Will Gould,) Mason Alden 24), Charlie Saunders, Logan Cassidy, Ben Gundle, Lenny Gale, Lewis Ewins (Louie Gurner 76)
Subs Unused: Ben Carter
Competition: Toolstation Western League, Premier Division
Attendance: 92
Venue: West Clewes, Midsomer Norton
Date: 9th March 2024
Report: Bob Buckingham
