Bridgwater United 5-0 Barnstaple Town FC

WITH a play-off place assured, the Robins were back at Fairfax Park under the lights on Tuesday for their third meeting of the season with ‘Barum’ after a 4-4 draw at Mill Road back in August, and the visitors coming out on top 1-4 in the Les Phillips Cup quarter final at Fairfax Park in February.

A tough fixture was in prospect for both sides with the winners taking a huge step towards gaining home advantage in the play-off semi-final.

United were without captain Mark Armstrong but welcomed back Jake Llewellyn from his one match ban.

In perfect conditions the game started at a frenetic pace with the United midfield of Tom Llewellyn, Ben Griffiths, Morgan Williams and Jay Murray quick to gain the ascendency as the front two, Jack Taylor and Jack Thorne, pressed hard and forced the visitors to continually fire forward ineffective long balls that were comfortably handled by the United back line.

Murray particularly was clearly enjoying a free role with his close control continually worrying the Barum defence.

On 14 minutes he made space down the left as his venomous strike from 25 yards was pushed away at full stretch by Jack Arthur.

The win edges Bridgwater closer to an advantageous home play-off tie. (Image: Craig Blake)

The pressure from the hosts was now relentless as Jack Thorne met a flicked-on corner at the far post only to see his effort finish narrowly wide. Minutes later, Thorne was in the thick of the action again as he robbed the ‘keeper only to slide the ball inches wide.

United continued to dominate in all areas of the pitch. With the interval fast approaching, Ben Griffith’s pace took him away from two defenders down the right.

Murray was onto the cross in a flash only to see his strike blocked inside the six-yard box. The rebound fell to the lurking Thorne who belted the ball into the top corner to give United the reward that their first half efforts thoroughly deserved.

Clearly buoyed by the effectiveness of their first half successes, United were soon back on the attack with the Barnstaple midfield having little answer to the continued high tempo at United were imposing. In a rare foray forward the visitors front two combined well, very much for the first time in the game, to create a half chance at the near post which was rapidly snuffed out by Jake Llewellyn.

Much to Barum’s consternation, the pace of the game showed no sign of relenting as they continued their long ball approach which continued to be as ineffective as it was in the first period.

However, on the hour mark Finlay Croft, who was enjoying another confident game, was forced to clear yet another long ball down the left which landed at the feet of the experienced Scott Laird well inside his own half.

Seeing an unexpected opportunity to bring the scores level, he launched the ball goalwards. To the relief of most spectators, the ball missed the far post by a yard or two.

Thirty minutes of the game remained. Could United now step up the pressure still further and secure the three points that would likely secure a home game in the play-off semi-final?

Well, the answer was a resounding ‘yes’. The momentum built throughout the game paid off as two penalties were awarded in six minutes.

Murray was quick to take charge but saw his first effort saved well by Arthur. The ball rebounded to Murray who gleefully smashed home to double his side’s lead. 2-0

Penalty number two soon arrived as Arthur brought down Jack Taylor in the box. Murray did the rest to make it 3-0.

With the final whistle imminent, it was Murray once again causing mayhem down the left as he released the ball to the eager Ben Griffith who spectacularly rocketed the ball into the top corner from 30 yards. It was some strike to make it 4-0.

There was still time for more. With the Barum defence in complete disarray, Taylor broke free to slot the ball past the disconsolate Arthur to secure just reward for his and his Team’s outstanding performance. 5-0.

By all measures, this was a scintillating, high octane performance by United that ranked with the best seen this season.

A win in their final game v bottom side Millbrook will, pretty much ensure a third-place finish and a home draw in the playoff semi final on Tuesday, April 30.