Locomotives 1 -1 Bridgwater Sports FC

1st September 2007 @ Victoria Park, Taunton

BW Sports Team:

Rawle, Smith, Caddy, Prowse, Netto, Dodden, Tucker, Wood, Fursland, Jones, Fearn

Subs: McGann (on for Fearn) Taylor (on for Netto) Gardner (on for Dodden)

Scorer: Jones (47)

When the fixtures came out for September a hard month was ahead however belief was there that we could go to Taunton and come away with three points, however upon arrival at Victoria Park, Taunton it was clear to see that Locomotives had signed some quality players throughout the summer and today was going to be much tougher than expected.

Sports welcomed new signings Adam Rawle, Richard Smith, the return of Robbie Fearn plus back from long term injury Steve Wood.

The game started and both sides cancelled each other out with no real threat of anyone creating a clear cut chance. Sports missed a few half chances with ‘Fuzzy’ having more time than he realized missing the target and Robbie shooting high and wide.

The front pairing of Matt Francis and Shane Kingston were lively but caused Jimmer & Caddy no problems but Sports had to quickly change their line up when Robbie got shot by a sniper and had to go off with a Calf injury. This allowed Craig McGann, also out for a while with injury, to come on up front with Fuzzy dropping back.

Half time came without much to talk about and the talk was about keeping it tight at the back and taking one of our chances when it came.

Within five minutes of the restart a long ball over the top left the Locomotives defence flat footed and Jason Jones raced through and coolly lobbed the keeper to give Sports a one nil lead.

Locomotives came back strongly and pressed Sports back for most of the remainder of the game without creating any real chances. Adam Rawle saved well from along distance effort which was dipping in under the bar, and the back three of Caddy, Jimmer and Rich Smith defended superbly with the help of the hard working midfield of Tucker, Wood, Dodden and Netto.

Fresh legs were bought on in with Dave Gardner making his debut replacing Si Dodden, Jack Taylor replacing Timmy Netto and Sports could have wrapped the game up when McGann broke free and with ‘Fry’ in acres of space inside the area he opted to shoot instead of passing and this proved to be costly.

Well into injury time yet another ball into the box was not dealt with for the first time in the match and somehow the ball ended up in the net to give Locomotives a share of the game. There was only time for Sports to kick off before referee Jerry Conway blew for full time.

All in all a fair result as Sports certainly did not play to their potential and a hard fought performance from Locomotives who proved they will be a force to reckon with this season if they can keep the likes of Francis & Kingston.

Man of the Match was Richard Smith who marshaled the defence outstandingly for 90 minutes.

Donkey was Robbie for his dying swan effort after hurting his calf!