Sat. 5th January. Toolstation Premier, Bridgwater Town 2 Westbury United 1
The Whitehorsemen returned from Bridgwater feeling football is a cruel game after being beaten 2-1 in a game we pretty much dominated . The defeat was also the first away defeat since October 2017, which is an incredible achievement.
United went into the game without Steve Hulbert, Jordan Pinder, Joe Stradling, Will Stead, Josh Ferguson and Ben Griffiths so the squad was stretched to the limit. Sayeed Ibrahim came in at right back, Joe Kirkpatrick and the returning Jake Hiscocks started in midfield and recent signing, Jason Henley, took his place on the bench.
A large crowd were present for a game that Bridgwater simply had to win, and they weren’t disappointed with a game that was a good advert for the Toolstation league. United started brightly and were causing the home defence no end of problems but it was Bridgy who went ahead against the run of play with a very good individual goal from Jake Brown who was the home side’s main threat all afternoon. Brown weaved his way past a couple of defenders before calmly slotting the ball home.
This seemed to spur the visitors on and Callum Demkiv had a fierce shot saved by Vineyard in the home goal and Vineyard also palmed away a shot from Joe Kirkpatrick. Probably the move of the match saw United carve open the home defence and Demkiv lobbed the ball over the advancing Vineyard but sadly he missed the target. With United now on top, Bridgy doubled their lead on a rare break where Brown suckered the referee into awarding a penalty as first he fouled Dan Jordan who pulled Brown down as he was falling over. Llewelyn scored the spot kick despite Ed Baldy getting close to it.
Once again, the Whitehorsemen responded and some desperate defending and some over protection of the keeper from the referee who seemed to give a foul whenever someone was within a yard of Viney kept Westbury at bay until Kirkpatrick’s pinpoint corner was headed home by Demkiv. Just before the break, Bridgwater should have been reduced to ten men after a horrendous high challenge on the impressive Dan Kovacs, but the lucky home player escaped with a mere talking to.
The second period saw Westbury dominate with the hosts pinned into their own half, but Bridgy defended superbly and also had Lady Luck on their side as a superb thirty-five yard shot from Substitute George Bendle looked destined for the net, only for Viney to somehow claw it to safety. Westbury huffed and puffed and threw everything at Bridgy and in the last seconds had a massive shout for a penalty as Dan Price was thrown to the ground but not for the first time the referee waived away the appeals and Bridgwater could celebrate their victory which keeps them clinging to the hope of staying in the promotion hunt.
All in all a really good performance from the Whitehorsemen and we have played worse and won games this season. It really is a testament of how far United have come when a wonderful club with the stature of Bridgwater celebrate a win against Westbury United like this. Apart from the result, an enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to hosting Bridgwater for the return fixture later in the season.
Star man Jamie Jordan. Team; Ed Baldy, Sayeed Ibrahim, Ian Jeffrey (C), Jake Hiscocks, Dan Price, Dan Jordon, Jamie Jordan, Joe Kirkpatrick, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. Subs George Bendle, Jason Henley Used, Lewis Porter not used.
Neil Kirkpatrick
