Andover 0, Bridgwater Town 1: Town back to winning ways

10:15am Sunday 22nd November 2009

By Mercury sports reporter

AFTER their disappointing home defeat last Tuesday it was important that Bridgwater Town got back to winning ways at Andover yesterday.

That they did so was the result of an excellent goal – the only one of the game. On a dismal, wet afternoon the goal which came on 59 minutes was the highlight of the match.

Midfielders Beadle and Orchard drove at the heart of the defence. Orchard played the ball wide to Mercica who beat his man and played a long, accurate ball to the far post where Pepperell rose and headed across past keeper Tasker to score a goal fit to win any game.

Bridgwater started the brighter, neat combination from Beadle, Mercica and Young put Pepperell clear but his shot was just off target. From the first corner Price fired wide.

Bridgwater’s only scare in the early stages came when Charman, unmarked from a long throw, failed to make a good contact.

On 22 minutes Young cut along the by-line but no one was on hand to turn in his cross.

Twice Young almost capitalised on long balls through the middle – in contrast to Bridgwater’s usual patient build-up.

The intercepted clearance from Pitcher led to sustained Andover pressure in which a free kick and corner had the Bridgwater defence under the cosh.

Langfrey’s touch was a bit too heavy in an Andover breakaway enabling the alert Manley to reach the ball first.

On 33 minutes Young broke clear to send a good ball out to Pepperell but the winger’s cross was just behind his onrushing colleagues.

The rain grew heavier throughout the second half and Pitcher and Villis struggled to cope with balls played through the middle in the greasy conditions.

Both sides conceded a number of free kicks and constructive play was in short supply.

After 57 minutes Young broke free down the left, rounded the keeper and squared the ball across goal where Beadle, making sure his shot was on target, failed to beat the defender back on the line.

In the gloom mistakes were becoming more frequent and it took a rare moment of quality for Bridgwater to take the lead – the first goal they have scored in three league matches since rattling eight past Cinderford.

Now Pepperell began to see much more of the ball and his cross was cut out by keeper Tasker with Young ready to pounce.

Bridgwater forced seven second half corners seeking the second goal which would have sealed the game as there was always the danger that Andover, with the wind at their backs, might level, and it needed Manley to race out of his goal to thwart Nicholl.

Young was again just too high with a 25-yard shot as Bridgwater ran down the clock with two stoppage time substitutions.

Andover’s last chance came with Nicholl firing well over as Bridgwater completed a good afternoon’s work which leaves them still undefeated in league games on their travels.

Bridgwater Town: Manley, Price, Villis, Pitcher, Laird, Beadle (Trowbridge, 71), Cooke, Orchard (Howson, 90), Pepperell, Young (Bailey, 90), Mercica.