Bridgford Pay the Penalty
24th August 2019
Gedling Miners Welfare FC vs West Bridgford FC
East Midlands Counties League
Final Score Gedling Miners Welfare FC 4 West Bridgford FC 2
Bridgford suffered their first defeat of the season yesterday, as a they were beaten by their neighbours Gedling in hot conditions in Mapperley.
In a frustrating game for the visitors, Bridgford enjoyed the majority of the possession and the chances created, but were punished on the day for not taking their chances and were vulnerable to the counter attack throughout the game.
The game began in an open fashion with both teams looking able to get in behind their opponents and create problems. On the quarter hour mark Bridgford had a glorious chance to take the lead when a scramble in the box fell to Josh Rae, his goalbound shot was blocked by a team mate. From the resulting clearance, Hastings wriggled free down the left, checked inside and fired into the far corner to put Gedling ahead.
Bridgford responded well to going behind and the play became camped in the Gedling half. Ryan Whitehurst narrowly chipped the ball wide when put through by Hopkinson and a succession of free kicks in and around the box ultimately came to nothing.
A misplaced defensive header on half an hour from Bridgford presented Hastings with the ball on the edge of our area, he made no mistake to double the home sides lead.
The remainder of the half saw Bridgford continue to pass the ball around looking for openings, whilst Gedling favoured a more direct route. Whitehurst found space in the area from one Bridgford move but was unable to direct his shot on target, Rae, Williamson and Wheatley all tried their luck from distance too.
Just prior to the break, Bridgford were punished as Hastings converted again, this time cutting in from the right and finishing well after Bridgford has conceded possession on halfway. Hastings had three chances in the first half and converted them all.
In first half injury time Bridgford were offered a lifeline when Hopkinson was brought down in the box by the home keeper. Jordan Wheatley couldn’t repeat his penalty success at Kimberley last time out and fired the ball over the bar.
Half Time Gedling Miners Welfare 3 West Bridgford 0
Bridgford started the second half on the front foot and on 50 minutes a cross from John Whitehurst found his brother Ryan, who slid the ball home to provide hope of a comeback.
The second half saw more possession play from Bridgford but they were unable to carve out clear chances against a well organised home defence.
On 75 minutes the game was sealed when Hastings, who was excellent on the day, pulled off his marker at the far post to plant a header back across goal to score his, and his team’s, fourth of the game.
There was still time for a push in the box on Hopkinson to result in a second penalty of the game for Bridgford on 90 minutes. Hopkinson this time taking responsibility and he made no mistake going low to the keepers right.
Final Score Gedling Miners Welfare 4 West Bridgford FC 2
Bridgford will ultimately be disappointed that they couldn’t turn their possession into control of the game and they will look to address their vulnerability to the counter attack. They get the chance to put this one behind them when they travel to another local rival, Clifton All Whites, tomorrow for the Bank Holiday Monday game.
