Looking to keep the momentum of form shown in last week’s game there was just one change to the line up this week. Joe Moore slotted into midfield with Chris Bradley moving alongside Sam Clements at the heart of the defence in the absence of Sam Johnson.
Wrington Redhill got off to a dream start going 1-0 up in 26 seconds! Callum Vickery fed Jake Horton who burst into the box and his pass to Sam Clarke was finished off in style. This early strike proved crucial as the home side played some good controlled football and threatened to get on equal terms. Alex Male struck the cross bar from long range, Leigh White cleared a dangerous cross for a corner, Matt Hill saved from a Adam Long shot and Jake Llewellyn fired wide.
For the visitors Vickery was running the home defence ragged with his jinky runs and was constantly being brought down eventually after 20 minutes Tyne Govier was booked for a cynical foul to many.
In this spell Horton was continuing to look lively and shot just wide on three occasions and Clarke spurned a further opportunity by shooting wide of goal. Ollie Clements was booked for a foul and a ‘conversation’ with the referee which was soon followed by Bridgwater finding the net but adjudged to be off side.
The final ten minutes saw Wrington have a goal fest with a Jake Horton hat trick. The first came when Ollie Clements won the ball and finds Horton with a measured pass. He held off a defender and then strikes from an angle with the goal bound effort helped along its way off a defender. Just after Alex Male was booked for yet another foul on Vickery. A run into the box from Clarke ended with a shot that Paul Goss saved but Horton was on hand to slot home the rebound. The hat trick goal came on the stroke of half time. Vickery went on another run down the right flank evading tackles and on getting to the bye line sent in a super pass to Horton who stroked the ball into the net from close range for a splendid 4-0 halftime lead.
The home side came out for the restart looking to get back into the game and there hope rose when Clarke had to leave the field having picked up an injury and Will Perry was brought into action. Any hopes Bridgwater had were soon quashed when Tyne Govier received a second yellow card for again scything down Vickery and was dismissed from the game. However as often happens when a team is reduced to 10 players it spurs them on and in fairness to Bridgwater they continued to take the game to the visitors. Sam Clements, Chris Bradley and Ethan Johnson held firm and Ollie Clements always seemed to be an outlet out of defence. The consistency of Whitey and Mike Rowcliffe working their socks off in midfield ensured the side kept their focus throughout.
A life line came for the home side when a penalty was awarded. A ball struck straight at Whitey from no more than a yard away was adjudged to have hit a hand which was a very harsh decision. Up stepped Jake Llewellyn who confidently converted from the spot leaving Hill no chance.
Shortly after a Whitey free kick was just headed wide by Horton and as the game was nearing the end Mark Brown replaced Sam Clements for a well earned early rest. There was then a flurry of yellow cards with Will Perry first in the book for a late challenge and then Bridgwater’s Josh Champion for kicking the ball away and Callum Ham for yet another challenge on Vickery.
Two further chances were created with a Joe Moore shot being saved and a Horton shot just wide.
There was a comical cameo with just a few minutes left. Callum Vickery left the field to a rapturous applause for a superb performance and was replaced by Kevin Burgess (49) making his debut for the Club. Apparently Whitey was heard to mutter ‘that makes me feel 10 years younger’ or something to that effect!
This was indeed a good all-round performance with again a number of contenders for player of the match. It’s goals that win matches and having scored a well deserved hat trick the recipient of this week’s Bill Gough Man of the Match was Jake Horton

Team.

Goalkeeper Matt Hill

Defence. Ollie Clements, Sam Clements, Chis Bradley, Ethan Johnson.

Midfield. Callum Vickery, Leigh White, Mike Rowcliffe, Joe Moore.

Strikers. Sam Clarke, Jake Horton.

Subs. Will Perry (for Clarke) Mark Brown (for Sam Clements) Kevin Burgess (for Vickery)