BRIDGWATER United will face Ascot United in the fifth round of the FA Vase after a tension-filled afternoon saw the Robins edged past Erith Town in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Erith Town, who play in the Southern Counties East Division, arrived in Bridgwater with a clear game-plan to frustrate their hosts and, in fairness, they did a good job in achieving that objective.

Bridgwater struck the woodwork on more than one occasion, had efforts cleared off the line and even recovered from the disappointment of losing Jake Taylor to a harsh red card early in the second period to secure a 0-0 draw. United then held their nerve to win 4-1 on penalties.

After the first two attempts to play this game had been postponed, the groundstaff worked tirelessly to ensure the pitch was playable for a classic ‘third time lucky’ and they almost received the perfect reward on 14 minutes.

Bridgwater moved the ball nicely for Taylor to surge down the right and square a pass for Tom Llewellyn, who steered his shot beyond Erith goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley but was left frustrated by the ball bouncing clear off the inside of the post.

The Robins asked another question moments later, Jacob Spence teeing up Jack Thorne for a downward header that was heading for the back of the net before Foley intervened with a super save.

A series of injury stoppages did little to help the flow of the game but Bridgwater did manage one more attacking foray before the interval. Taylor, once again, proved a handful, dancing past two challenges before unleashing a fierce drive that Foley did well to push around the post.

United goalkeeper Jake Viney gave the home supporters a taste of what was to come with a fine stop early in the second period but the Bridgwater cause was then severely hampered by the dismissal of Taylor.

Erith understandably became a little braver in their approach but still failed to penetrate the Bridgwater defence, and the Robins so very nearly pinched the lead when Thorne was denied by a miraculous goal-line clearance after rounding Foley.

The game turned nasty in the closing stages, as Erith’s Khemani Aiyanyo was shown a red card for stamping, and the ensuing melee led to a beleaguered referee issuing two more reds, one for either side.

On to penalties, and Jake Llewellyn despatched the opener for Bridgwater, which was matched by the first Erith taker. Tom Llewellyn scored number two and Viney then made a superb save for the Robins.

George King thundered in number three for United and when Erith hit the bar with their third, Ronnie Edwards stepped up to win the shoot-out and keep alive the Wembley dream after a highly eventful afternoon.  

Ascot United will be making the trip to Fairfax Park on Saturday, February 11 and Bridgwater will possibly look for some guidance from Western League rivals Buckland Athletic, who saw their run ended by Ascot last weekend.