Page 20 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Cadbury Heath 280323

Match Report

BRIDGWATER UTD 1
ASHTON & BACKWELL UTD 1

Bridgwater had the better of the early exchanges, to take a 5th minute lead as a left
wing cross from Jake Llewellyn somehow sailed into the top corner. Shortly after
Bridgwater player Phillips went down off the ball, and after lengthy treatment was
stretchered off, replaced by Mabia. Bridgwater settled back into their rhythm quickly,
much of the play being contested in the middle of the park. Backwell were still struggling
for chances, but on 28 mins, Miles Hardidge shot from 30yards which went just wide of
the post. Bridgwater had a couple of half chances, both shots wide of the target. On
42 minutes Ashton and Backwell won a corner through Tom Anthony, James White took
it and the shot from Kitan Jaiyeoba was cleared. The clearance fell kindly to the home
team, Taylor broke played in Hartley who went one on one with keeper Tom Roberts,
but the Stags stopper made a great save low down. Deep into the lengthy period of
added time Jaiyeoba picked up the ball in the centre circle and burst forward, knocked
it through to Charlie Saunders who ended up one on one with the Bridgwater keeper
who made a big save. Just as the first half was fizzling out, Hardidge went in for a tackle
with Viney, the Bridgwater player ended up on the turf and Hardidge picked up the first
yellow card of the match. H/T 1-0
It was soon obvious that Tony Beecham’s half time team talk had given fresh impetus
to the visitors. 2 minutes in, Jaiyeoba picked up the ball in the Bridgwater penalty area
and from 12 yards fired the ball, low down to the hapless keepers left, 1-1, and a
different look to the game early in the second half. On 50 minutes Harry Walker picked
up a yellow card for a tackle, and was followed into the referee’s notebook very quickly
by the home player Williams. Defence turned into attack for Bridgwater, they won a free
kick 20 yards out, just right of centre. Taylor took the shot but it was smartly saved by
Tom Roberts, down to his left. Immediately Bridgwater player Williams was sin binned,
the home side down to 10 men for the next 10 minutes. Almost before he’d had a
chance to sit down, it was 10 a side, Miles Hardidge picking up a second yellow for a
firm challenge. 67 minutes in and Ashton and Backwell were still creating the best of the
second half opportunities. They got a free kick, but Charlie Saunders couldn’t quite get
enough of his head on the ball and Vineys saved the effort. On 74 minutes Mabia had a
good chance for the home side, the ball falling to his feet 5 yards out but Tom Roberts
was equal to his shot. 78 minutes in, Bridgwater had the ball in the net, but it was ruled
out for a foul on a Backwell player in the buildup. Bridgwater were really starting to
ramp up the pressure. Shortly after, Llewellyn’s shot was deflected wide and from the
resulting Bridgwater corner the ball fell to Taylor whose half volley disappeared over the
bar. On 90 minutes the game came to life, Bridgwater being awarded a penalty, after
Tom Roberts pushed the ball away and the Taylor ended up on the grass. The vocal
Stags manager was sent to the stands by the referee before the spot kick could be
taken. Harry Walker was also given a yellow card on the bench. This caused a 3 minute
delay, Taylor took the penalty, only for Tom Roberts to smartly save low down to his
right. Cue scenes of celebration in the away dugout, who were then revisited by the
referee who had only just remembered that two yellows make a red and he’d forgotten
to give Harry Walker his marching orders. And that was it, the home side having been
held to a draw by a battling Ashton and Backwell side. Stags MOM Tom Roberts for an
excellent display between the sticks.
Roberts, Anthony, Walker [Ford 76’] White, Reece Hedges, Bishop, Jaiyeoba
[Bennington-Mannings 79’], Lewis Hedges [Cattermole 79’], Banks [Cummings 67’],
Saunders, Hardidge