FA Vase third round

Bradford Town 4 Bridgwater Town 3 (aet)

Five goals, a penalty and a sending off in extra-time sealed the fate of what was a pulsating FA Vase tie at a bitterly cold Trowbridge Road and saw Bradford Town into the fourth round draw at the expense of Bridgwater Town.

Bridgy came from behind twice and briefly looked likely to go on and take the win but the Bobcats dug in and, despite losing Jack Whitcombe to a straight red for comments to an official, netted three times in extra-time to claim the victory.

Seven goals seemed unlikely midway through the second half as neither side had troubled the keepers until Matt Morris’s long cross was nodded home by top scorer Gary Higdon on 65 minutes.

Steve Murray volleyed over for Bridgwater and defender Tom Ellis went close on the hour but they were not to be denied as Jack Taylor went down in the box and Jake Llewellyn tucked away the spot kick.

Robins keeper Jake Viney then somehow kept out a Tyson Pollard effort from close range to take the game into extra time on what was a strength sapping pitch which held up well after the rain of recent days.

Within minutes, a Pollard corner was flicked on by Higdon and went in off Sean Keet, who was on the line to make it 2-1.

Moments later it was 2-2 as substitute Harry Horton volleyed home from 15 yards.

With both sides going for it, Bradford went ahead when Dave Thorne was adjudged to have fouled Morris in the area and Pollard made it 3-2.

The drama was not over as Whitcombe was sent off with 20 minutes left.

Substitute Dean Griffiths then went on a solo run and set up Pollard for what seemed to be the clinching goal but, with Bradford defending around their own penalty area, Horton’s cross was nodded in by Ellis to make it 4-3.

It was too little too late, however, as Bradford deservedly held on and await tomorrow’s draw.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Dave Thorne (Dave Pearse 109), Jake Llewellyn, Mark Armstrong, Ross McErlain, Tom Ellis, Ollie Morris (Sam Towler 98), Dave O'Hare, Steve Murray, Jack Taylor, Jake Brown (Harry Horton 80)