CARTER’S SPOT ON FOR BUCKS
Rocked Robins pay the penalty
ABRACE of quickfire penalties from Ben Carter sealed a well-deserved win for Buckland Athletic over a disappointing Bridgwater Town.
The lengthy lay-off from league football attracted a good crowd to Homers Heath and they witnessed a competitive game with six goals, six bookings, two penalties, two deflected goals and no shortage of action as both sides looked to shrug off the Covid cobwebs.
They came into this Western League opener off the back of two FA Cup matches in the week with contrasting fortunes, Bridgwater having survived a torrid time down in Cornwall against South West Peninsula Leaguers Millbrook while Buckland suffered heartbreak, having a late ‘winner’ disallowed and then losing to FA Vase semi-finalists Bitton on penalties.
Bridgwater were without suspended defender Dave Thorne and the returning George Painter, who tweaked a hamstring at Millbrook, but welcomed back to the squad teenage full-back Fin Wilkinson, who has been in quarantine for two weeks following a trip to Ibiza.
The home side, under new boss Paul Froude, lined up minus strikers Richard Groves, suspended, and Ryan Bush, who was concussed in the Bitton game, but they took it to the visitors and experienced winger Lloyd Gardner found room to swing in a cross inside a minute but it was missed by everyone and went safe.
Josh Wadham shot wide for Bridgwater but on 20 minutes a defensive error let in Jamie Passmore and he finished well give Buckland the lead. It lasted seconds as Jack Taylor went on a mazy run from way out before a sublime chip over Kenny Griffith brought an equaliser against the run of play with the Robins’ first real chance – a better goal will be worth seeing this season anywhere.
Five minutes later, Buckland’s Austen Booth was given too much room and his shot deflected in off Conor Bryant, who was injured in the attack and was carried off with a nasty ankle sprain.
After the break, Carter showed great skill on the byline before squaring to Passmore, who fired over. Then, after a spell of free-kicks and cautions calmed down, Bridgy defender Tom Ellis launched a huge throw into the area which the defence could not cope with and Kieran Parkin could only help it into the net off the back post just past the hour mark.
Once again there was an instant response. Buckland’s Joe Belsten got behind the defence from the restart and Wadham pulled him down. Carter dispatched the spot-kick with the minimum of fuss.
In a rare Bridgwater attack, Sam Towler fired over from another Ellis throw but the points were secured moments later when Jordan Greenwood was caught out by an awkto ward bounce and the second spot-kick, for handball, was awarded. Carter again did the honours.
It was a perfect response from Buckland after Tuesday’s cup defeat but Bridgy’s joint bosses Dave Pearse and Karl Baggaley have work to do before Saturday’s visit of Bitton in the FA Cup.
BUCKLAND: Griffiths, Belsten, Tasker (Gaze 45), Booth, Clarke, Parkin, Carter (Wellington 70), Rudge, Passmore (Collins 75), Hancox, Gardner. Subs not used: Wood, Collins.
BRIDGWATER: Viney; Morris, Llewellyn, Armstrong, Greenwood, Ellis, Duffy (Wilkinson 76), Towler, Taylor, Wadham, Bryant (Hiroli 30). Subs not used: Brereton, Bannister, Govier,
STAR MAN: Ben Carter (Buckland)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★