Last gasp penalty agony for Bridgwater Town (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Last gasp penalty agony for Bridgwater Town

3:44pm Tuesday 17th August 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A CONTROVERSIAL last-minute penalty robbed Bridgwater of a morale-boosting win against Mangotsfield United last night, writes Eddie Robinson.

Bridgwater made just one change following Saturday's opening day defeat against Abingdon United.

Shaun Kenny came in for his Southern League debut on the left wing, in place of Jamie Howson.

The early exchanges were even, with Chris Young having Bridgwater’s first effort after 12 minutes. Two minutes later, Bridgwater lit up the game. Neat passing between Kenny and Andy Robertson saw the ball played to Simon Lyons, whose decisive pass set up Young, who saw his 20-yard shot crash against the bar.

Thus encouraged, Lyons and Robertson tried their luck from distance.

At the other end, Bridgwater keeper Luke Buckingham was out bravely at the feet of Groves, to deny the Mangotsfield man.

Bridgwater took the lead on 22 minutes. A long throw from Peek found Mackay, whose looping header found the net, despite the efforts of Mangotsfield full-back Arndale to clear.

Buckingham made two fine saves to preserve the lead and Bridgwater had to survive an indirect free-kick in front of goal, given when Ford’s interception was deemed a backpass.

A half in which Bridgwater just about deserved their lead ended with Groves producing a good turn and shot, which went just wide.

Bridgwater doubled their lead with their first attack of the second half, on 54 minutes.

Mackay sent Young clear down the inside left channel. Suddenly, it was two against one and Young’s pass across the face of goal was turned in by the gleeful Shane Kingston, for his first Bridgwater goal since his Western League days.

Mangotsfield reduced the arrears on 62 minutes. A left wing corner was only half cleared and when Meaker returned the ball into the box, Groves was on hand to head home from close range.

The remaining half hour saw Mangotsfield pressing for an equaliser, and Bridgwater’s cause was not helped by injuries which forced off Young and Robertson.

Buckingham was beaten on 69 minutes but the ball hit the post.

Bridgwater looked to have held out until the last minute, when Matt Pitcher was wrongly adjudged to have fouled an opponent in the box and the penalty was converted.

Team: Luke Buckingham, Josh Ford, Neil Peek, Matt Pitcher, Rob Snook, Andy Robertson (Tom Parsons 72), Simon Lyons, Shane Kingston, Shaun Kenny, Mike Mackay (Sam Peppin 66), Chris Young (Andrew Forward 60).