Bridgwater Mens 5th XI (3) v (1) SIDMOUTH C

14/10/2006

League game at Away

Bridgwater’s four cars arrived at Sidmouth after following four different routes, diversions along the way delaying Rodney Young in particular. Whilst his passengers demonstrated considerable alacrity in joining the rest of the team on the pitch, Young displayed his usual sang froid by strolling in leisurely fashion to take up his position.

Following last week’s heavy defeat, there was a certain amount of apprehension surrounding this usually testing fixture. Amazingly, after Michael Davidge started play by wellying the ball out over the Sidmouth goal line, Sidmouth conceded a goal from the resulting hit out. Davidge was instrumental in setting up Ben Shore and the 5ths were ahead inside a minute without the ball having been in their half!

The rest of the half was even as skipper Roy Pumfrey’s chosen 1-3-5-1 formation frustrated Sidmouth’s attacking moves, with his non-stop encouraging of the team leaving noone in any doubt about what they should be doing. The whole team played well, with Dan Buller’s rocket clearances allied to Steven Morrish’s effective marking and brother Robert’s high work rate making life tough for Sidmouth. Just before half time, Jack Bennett pulled off an excellent save that stopped momentum swinging Sidmouth’s way and the 5ths turned round ahead for the first time for ages.

Things got better in the second half as the great understanding between Davidge and Shore saw them combine again for Bridgwater’s second. Ben Lewis and Rhys Morgan were also responsible for some purple patches of play as Bridgwater worked the ball with a fluency that has eluded them until now. As it seemed that they were on the point of a morale boosting win, Bridgwater conceded a penalty corner. Bennett’s fine save deflected onto Frank Molenaar’s shin pad which stopped a certain goal. Despite a terrific dive to his left, the well struck penalty flick found the corner of the goal and Sidmouth were back in the match. Not for long though as yet again the deadly Davidge/Shore combo swung into action to produce a third and result settling goal. Unsurprisingly, Shore won man of the match honours for his hat trick.

Next week, the 5ths face ECV Hornets, 2.30pm start at CTS, with spirits considerably raised by this first league win of the season.