Bridgwater Town 1, Street 0 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater Town 1, Street 0

9:32am Sunday 29th August 2010 in

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FA Cup preliminary round

Bridgwater Town 1, Street 0

BRIDGWATER Town are through to the next round of the FA Cup following this win over near neighbours Street at Fairfax Park on Saturday, writes Brian Austin.

Town, with loan signings and former Bridgwater favourites Graham Mercieca and Bradley Middleton in the starting line up, looked much stronger all round than in recent weeks.

The game began with the sides playing attacking football and both goalkeepers were called into action early.

Street’s Nathan Whatley did well to turn a Mercieca effort over the bar and Town’s Luke Buckingham palmed away a dangerous cross from the right.

The rest of the first half was a fairly even affair and clear chances were few and far between.

The second half saw Town taking the game to their Western League opponents and Andy Robertson's first time shot just cleared the bar with Whatley beaten.

Town took a deserved lead in the 54th minute after Chris Young was fouled out on the right. Following lengthy treatment, Young was unable to continue and the home side brought on another of their loan signings in Naby Diallo.

Middleton took the free kick and picked out Diallo who headed superbly past Whatley to put Town ahead with his first touch of the ball.

They should have put the game out of Street's reach as further chances were created but not taken.

Robertson and Diallo combined to set up an opportunity but Diallo was crowded out when he might have done better by releasing the unmarked Robertson.

Mercieca was now finding space out on the left and his strong runs looked dangerous as Street became stretched at the back.

Desperate defending somehow prevented Mike Mackay from extending Town's lead as a defender managed to get back and head his goal bound effort over the bar with Whatley stranded.

Substitute Carl Jones had three good chances to make the game safe and Sean Kenny hit the side netting following more good work from Mercieca.

Buckingham still had to be alert at the other end and saved well first from a shot and then a header as Street still looked dangerous on the break.

The final whistle blew with 21 players in and around the Bridgwater penalty area as Street were awarded a corner but the superb Town defence dealt with the threat.

This was a much improved Bridgwater performance and the signs are there that the "tide is starting to turn" following a traumatic start to the season.

The defence looked much sounder with Middleton, Peek, Pitcher and Bailey looking a solid back four.

The midfield, with Robertson and Lyons working their socks off, were supportive both in defence and attack with Young, until his injury, once again outstanding.

Up front, Kenny, Mackay and Mercieca kept the Street defenders busy throughout and substitutes Diallo and Jones played well.

Town are in action once again on Monday when they return to league action with a home game against Clevedon Town.

Bridgwater Town: Buckingham (7), Middleton (8), Pitcher (9), Peek (6), Bailey (8), Robertson (8), Lyons (7), Young (7), Mercieca (7), Mackay (6), Kenny (6) Substitutes used: Diallo, Jones and Snook.

Referee: Thomas Blanch (7)