Bridgwater Town 1, North Leigh 1 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater Town 1, North Leigh 1

12:32pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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A RESOLUTE performance from North Leigh ensured Bridgwater Town’s mini slump continued last night as both sides played out a 1-1 draw at Fairfax Park, writes Brian Austin.

Town's pitch only just survived the referee’s inspection an hour before kick-off following steady rain throughout the day and the crowd of 241 that turned up were treated to a typically hard fought league encounter with no quarter asked or given.

Town gave a home debut to Justin Porter, who recently re-signed for the club following his five-year exile in the States, in place of Nat Pepperell who was amongst the substitutes.

Brett Trowbridge was also given a rest with Chris Young adopting a deeper position behind Marcus Duharty.

Town were first out of the blocks and attacked from the off.

Porter and Young combined well down the right and forced an early corner.

Play switched to the other end and Andy McCabe shot over for North Leigh when perhaps he should have done better.

Jamie Price then sent in a perfect cross deep from the right but Duharty headed wide when well placed.

On 23 minutes Town took the lead and it was the debutant Porter who forced the ball home at the far post from a Mercieca cross following good work by Laird in the build up.

Town’s lead was short-lived, however, as they conceded a free kick just outside the box three minutes later.

Stuart Hole gave Manley no chance with a perfectly placed strike that hit the under-side of the bar and dropped into the back of the net.

Town went back on the attack and Jamie Laird set up Young but the hard working captain couldn't quite get his strike on target.

The second half resembled the first as Town worked hard to create an opening but too often their short inter-passing game became bogged down in the centre of the pitch.

They lost possession to the tigerish tackling of the opposition, who closed them down quickly at every opportunity.

Porter sent in a fine cross from the right, which found the head of Beadle, but the midfielder directed his header straight at Lansdale in goal.

Beadle gave way to Orchard soon after and Pepperell came on for Mercieca as Town worked hard to regain the lead.

Duharty sent Pepperell away down the right but couldn't beat Lansdale who saved at the second attempt after cutting in from the right.

In the 75 minute Porter almost restored Town's lead with a superb shot from just inside the area but Lansdale flung himself to his left and pulled off a remarkable save at the expense of a corner.

It was not all one-way traffic however as North Leigh mounted their own attacks and Price threw himself in the way of a goal bound effort from Simon Futcher.

Leigh also had strong appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee.

The next chance fell to Pepperell who got on the end of a low cross from the left that eluded everyone but his close range right foot effort could only find the side netting.

Town have now taken just one point from their last three games and they are still well placed in the table in fourth position.

With another home game this coming Saturday against Cinderford, they will be looking to end this recent dip in results.

North Leigh were well worth their point. They worked extremely hard and closed Bridgwater's midfield and attack down at every opportunity.

They had obviously done their homework and chased, harried and forced Town into making mistakes and hurried passes. They looked a side capable of matching any in the division with their phenomenal work rate.

Town's defence still looks sound but it is the continued lack of goals that must be worrying the joint managers.

Town have scored just five goals in their last six games and it is this statistic which is causing some concern but they are all continuing to work very hard in the cause and surely it will not be long before the goals start to go in again.

Bridgwater Town team: Manley, Price, Pitcher, Villis, Laird, Beadle, Robertson, Young, Duharty, Porter, Mercieca.

Subs used: Orchard, Pepperell, Tasker.

Subs not used: Bailey, Trowbridge.

Referee: Dominic Gregory.

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