8:41am Sunday 14th March 2010
Bridgwater Town deservedly became the first team to beat league leaders Windsor and Eton in the league this season following a hard fought encounter at Fairfax Park, writes Brian Austin.
Chris Young passed a late fitness test and Jak Martin came in for his first appearance for two years, following a bad knee injury in place of Mat Pitcher.
The game began quietly with both sides showing too much respect for each other and it was 16 minutes before either side produced a shot on goal. It was Windsor’s leading scorer Michael Chennels, whose hurried flick from 20 yards passed harmlessly wide.
Two minutes later Tom Manley had his first taste of the action when he saved well following a scramble in the goal mouth and Windsor’s Dave Woozley was the next to try his luck but his long range effort was well off target.
Town came more into the game and forced a couple of corners, which the tall Windsor defenders dealt with comfortably.
Town were now gaining in confidence as Porter and Trowbridge began to win their midfield battle and Merceica looked to take on the Windsor defenders down the left flank.
After 36 minutes Town won a corner on the right. The kick was long to the far post and Jamie Price stole in to head majestically home to give Town the lead.
Bridgwater captain Chris Young then had a chance to double Town's advantage when he latched onto a poor back header by Butler but his lob from the edge of the area just bounced the wrong side of the post with keeper Bullivant beaten.
The second half began with Town taking the game to their high riding opponents and on 55 minutes they went further in front when Price finished well after good work by Orchard and Young. Town's joy was short lived however as Chennels finally got the better of the Bridgwater defence to pull a goal back after 58 minutes.
Windsor now started to show some belief and they poured forward in search of the equaliser but the Bridgwater defence was in uncompromising mood with Laird, Villis, Martin and Price outstanding, ably backed up by Robertson, Porter and Trowbridge.
Keeper Manley dealt superbly with a succession of high balls lofted into the box and also did well to keep out a goal bound effort from Parsons.
Bridgwater were reduced to breakaways but could have extended their lead as Trowbridge, Young and Mercieca all had half chances to make the game safe.
Young was replaced up front by Duharty and the skipper left the field to a standing ovation as he hobbled off following his tremendous efforts.
Windsor ran out of ideas and were reduced to pumping high balls into the box and the game ended with Bridgwater back on the attack and once again looking comfortable.
This was an excellent all round team performance by Town and they rose to third in the table following this win.
Bridgwater Town: Manley (8) Price (9) Villis (8) Martin (8) Laird (8) Robertson (7) Trowbridge (7) Porter (8) Orchard (7) Young (8) Mercieca (7)
Subs used: Duharty
Not used: Bailey, Tasker, Beadle and Howson.
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