Toolstation Western League: Torpoint Athletic 2-1 Bridgwater United

BRIDGWATER United have dropped to second place in the Toolstation Western League after defeat away from home at Torpoint Athletic at the weekend.

The match ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts after two second half goals were enough for them to hold on to win.

Bridgwater were without influential skipper Jake Llewellyn due to a one match suspension.

In the first half, both sides created chances to score but were unable to find the finish or even at times the final pass.

It was unusual for Bridgwater to go a half of football without scoring but the hosts were doing a good job of shutting them out.

It was especially unusual when you consider Bridgwater beat Torpoint 5-0 in the corresponding fixture in early October.

In the second half though the game opened up and three goals were scored, two for Torpoint and one for the Robins.

Torpoint broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half from the best move of the match.

From a quick one touch move through midfield, the ball found Gary Hird, who drilled his shot into the net from 15 yards.

From there, the hosts were able to maintain possession and in fact increase their lead halfway through the half.

In the 75th minute Ryan Smith collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area on the left side, cut inside and hit a curling shot which nestled into the far corner of the net.

The Robins stepped up the pressure but Torpoint defended well as a team and kept the visitors at arm’s length for the most part.

There was a big chance in the 90th minute as Jay Murray hit a long range effort that was on target but keeper Ryan Rickard got his hands to the ball to produce a wonder save.

Bridgwater continued to push higher up the pitch and in the seventh minute of time added on they were awarded a penalty which Murray coolly slotted past Rickard to make it 2-1.

Any hopes the visitors had of rescuing a point were quickly ended though as the referee blew the final whistle after the spot kick.

This was an impressive and hard-earned three points for Torpoint, who had lost five of their previous six games in all competitions, albeit on penalties in two of them.

Bridgwater gave everything they had on a difficult playing surface but ultimately fell short in front of goal, on another day they might have scored several goals.