Toolstation Western League: Bridgwater United FC 2-0 St Blazey
BRIDGWATER United now sit in fifth place in the Toolstation Western League after a win at home on Saturday.
The Robins were victorious over St Blazey in a tightly-fought battle at Fairfax Park in the sunshine to extend their current unbeaten run to four matches.
Jack Taylor came back into the starting line-up as Josiah McKayle moved to the bench for this match and the club legend made an impact.
He was involved in two exceptional early chances for the hosts but they were unable to finish them off.
But in the sixth minute Taylor scored the opening goal as he finished off a well worked team move.
After the lively opening, the game settled slightly and both sides enjoyed extended passages of possession.
From this point, it became a bit of a slog for Bridgwater as St Blazey, who have shown at times this season they can defend well, stuck in.
The visitors weathered the Bridgwater storm well and at the break the score remained 1-0 to the hosts.
In the second period, St Blazey looked to come out of the blocks early with a few chances themselves.
They looked a motivated side and had Bridgwater slightly rattled which was backed up in the 55th minute when Josh Phillips was shown a yellow card.
And shortly after, in the 61st minute, Tom Llewellyn was sent to the sin bin after he was shown a yellow card, reducing Bridgwater to ten men momentarily.
The hosts calmed down though and were able to turn the tide in the match back in their favour and scored a second goal on 76 minutes.
Phillips got on the end of another well executed team move to make it 2-0 to Bridgwater.
From there, Ben Griffiths made way for Morgan Williams and Adam Wright was subbed off for McKayle.
The new pair got straight into action and the extra pace gave Bridgwater even more emphasis going forward.
There was two more subs that followed in the dying embers of the match as Fin Koppa came on for Josh Phillips and Sam Hedges replaced captain Mark Armstrong.
But the game was won as Bridgwater defended it out to claim the three points and continue their recent good form.
The Robins are in fifth place on 66 league points, with fourth place Barnstaple on 67. Both of those sides have played 32 games whilst second and third placed Falmouth and Clevedon have played 33.
League leaders Helston Athletic have also only played 32 league matches so they are in the driving seat going into the last week of the campaign.
Bridgwater can still finish as high as third place, depending on results elsewhere and if they win their remaining two matches. But it does mean play off football for the Robins.
On Tuesday night they host promotion rivals Barnstaple at Fairfax Park, then the last game of the regular season is at home on Saturday, April 27 against Millbrook.
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