FA Cup Preliminary Round: Bridgwater United 4-0 Street FC

THE rampaging Robins maintained their average of 4 goals per game but it could have been many more, writes Mark Hollidge.

This was a similar performance, and identical scoreline, to the Welton game.

The main difference was that United were held goalless for the first half.

However, this just opened the door to a devastating 20 minutes spell after the break which broke the spirit of the visitors.

Friday night football at Fairfax Park rarely disappoints and the big crowd was again treated to a top class performance.

United welcomed Jake Viney back to the starting line up, after his long absence through injury, and he was able to ease his way back without having to do too much.

Apart from having to rescue the ball from an extended goalmouth scramble in the first half, he wasn’t called to make any saves by the toothless Street attack.

Adam Wright replaced Jack Taylor in the attack and he had several chances to score in the first half. His normally lethal finishing, usually hitting the target, deserted him for this game.

Right on half time United looked sure to score. The elusive Thorne got free on the right and his shot was partially saved.

The ball spun from the keeper and Wright, lying on the ground and near to goal, couldn’t get the right angle to divert the ball over the line.

There may have been some frustration with the scoreline at half time but those thoughts were banished once the game got going again.

Horton strode forward and hammered a shot which was well saved but it came back into play and Jake Llewellyn won the race to thump it over the line.

Moments after that it was 2-0. There are times when King shows a resemblance to the great Glenn Hoddle and there was a similarity to the Spurs man when, after losing the ball and then regaining it, and having a short dribble, he suddenly spanked a 25 yard drive into the net.

It was turning into a turkey shoot now with every attack looking loaded with goals. Thorne was fouled by Jake Horsey well into the penalty box and Taylor, with his first touch of the ball, put the penalty away.

The scoring ended when Taylor broke clear and rounded the keeper for a simple finish.

There were still 25 minutes on the clock and several more goals looked likely against a tired looking defence who had played just 48 hours before.

It wasn’t for the want of trying that the score stayed at 4-0.

Another stand-out performer was Ross Edwards in his current attacking wing back role. He didn’t need to defend much and he was highly effective as the retainer of possession and instigator of a lot of menace.

Wembley moves a step closer. Whoever United face in the next round will not fancy getting past the ebullient Robins, home or away.