Bridgwater United 1-0 Cribbs

WHAT a great night! These are the special games that make you realise why it is you support your local football team. These are the games you remember, writes Mark Hollidge.

For the third time in consecutive matches, the Robins had to endure the hardship of playing with just 10 men on the pitch. Yet, through deep reserves of character, commitment and courage they overcame a strong team who are riding the crest of a wave in their own league. As a result it is the Robins who progress into the 4th round of the FA Vase.

In the midst of a marvellous team performance, one player rose above anyone else on the pitch. George King bestrode the midfield acres like a colossus, making the place his own, and produced a ninety minute performance which eclipsed all of his previous outings. 

To put this in context, United were shorn of their two central defenders through suspension, two midfielders through injury and another midfielder was cup tied. So the strength of the squad was sorely tested against a good side who had only lost once in the league.

Sam Hedges was playing only his second full game after a long injury absence and Jack Thorne was playing at home for the first time after his goalscoring debut at Barnstaple. The Robins were well below full strength.

When Jack Thorne was booked in the first minute, for an innocuous foul, it seemed that the referee was looking to put down a “ marker” as if to say “I am in charge”. We didn’t know at that time how significant this would prove to be.

After an early Jake Llewellyn corner kick caused a skirmish in the Cribbs’ box, it was the visitors who looked most at ease for a spell. Ex- Robin Steve Murray was dangerous and he skipped inside a defender but drilled his shot outside the near post. On twenty minutes, only a goal line block from Hedges stopped the visitors from going ahead.

For the third third of the first half, United got more to grips with the game and started to control it.

The ball was delivered on a plate to Jack Thorne , in front of goal. The fans were about to shout “ goal” but the ball hit the inside of the right post and stayed out.

From that close shave, Jack Thorne’s minute of torment got worse. As Cribbs broke away, he fouled their player with the ball. Without any hesitation the referee showed Thorne another yellow card, followed by red. A harsh decision.

As the second half loomed it seemed that United were really up against it. If Cribbs had slightly the better of the first half, in the second half, with the man advantage, surprisingly they lost most of their fluency and potency.

In the 49th minute, the Robins got the vital goal. Again King was at the heart of it. He found space in midfield and lofted a cross beyond the far post, on the left. Slipshod Cribbs had left Taylor unmarked. He still had plenty to do but he carefully guided his 10 yard header across Greatbanks and inside the right post. His twelfth goal of the season.

In the second half Taylor was the lone striker and he ran his socks off to try to keep the Cribbs’ defence busy. So did Brown with his intricate dribbling skills on the left flank. He was a  source of danger but also the source of handy free kicks.

Nevertheless, Cribbs did make some chances. A cross/shot from Jones rebounded from an upright and a tricky low shot from Matt Spiller reared up off the surface and was well pouched by Viney.

Although a full ten minutes were added on at the end of the ninety , Cribbs seemed to have blown themselves out and all they could offer were inaccurate long range shots that would never trouble a keeper as competent as Viney.

The game was nerve-shredding but the game was won. Come on you people of Bridgwater, get out of your homes to support this fine team of yours, as they continue their battle on two fronts into 2023.