FALMOUTH Town fell to a damaging home defeat to Bridgwater United at Bickland Park in controversial circumstances on Saturday, writes Scott McCormack.
In front of another strong crowd of 467 Falmouth started on the front foot and launched a wave of attacks, mostly down the right-hand side through the ever-consistent Luke Barner. The first real chance of note came around five minutes in when an incisive through ball from Barner found the feet of Oscar Massey. He was through on goal but a heavy first touch meant that the keeper was able to gather the ball safely.
The Falmouth ground staff and a posse of willing volunteers on the morning of the match had done brilliantly to get the game on when so many other games had been postponed, but the state of the pitch was not helping Falmouth’s passing game. Wide men, Barner and Olly Walker as well as Oscar Massey down the middle were trying to carry the ball and take on the experienced Bridgwater defence but the ball was frequently bobbling out of their control.
The first controversial incident came on 18 minutes when Ruben Wilson was put through on the left-hand edge of the box. As he shaped for the cross or shot, he was shouldered in the back and went down for what looked like a clear penalty. Unbelievably for the majority in the ground, the ref waved the appeal away.
The game continued with Falmouth having the majority of the play and the Bridgwater defence dealing comfortably with anything that reached them. Walker down the left started to get the better of his full back but the Town forwards were unable to get on the end of any crosses he was able to deliver. As the pitch cut up, there were a few heavy challenges which the ref was quick to punish with yellow cards.
The half finished at 0-0 with Town dominating and no chances of note having been created by Bridgwater. This was to be the case in the second half as well, but it didn’t stop the visitors from scoring what proved to be the winning goal three minutes in.
A long ball was played over the top of the Town defence and after having looked like it had been dealt with, the ball fell to Jack Thorne. He looked up and saw that Coxhead in the Falmouth goal had come off his line, presumably to deal with the initial through ball. Thorne then played a deft chip over the keeper from well outside of the box with the ball creeping agonisingly inside the far post with Coxhead scrambling to keep it out. The scoreline line now 1-0 very much against the run of play.
Falmouth seemed to take a while to get over this blow and struggled to create any further chances of note until 17 minutes in when Rubin Wilson ran onto a through ball on the left-hand side of the box. However, he was only able to hit the side netting at the near post.
From an almost identical position two minutes later, Luke Barner again hit the side netting when through. Two good chances that needed to be taken in such a tight match.
Falmouth made a series of changes, starting with Calleja-Stayne being replaced by Tom Fisher after about five minutes, possibly as a precautionary measure given he had already been booked. Jacob Grange soon followed for James Swan in an attacking move from Andy Westgarth as Town searched for the Equaliser. Brabyn for Barner and Wharton for Walker followed but Bridgwater defended superbly as they blocked cross after cross as Falmouth tried to feed Rubin Wilson.
The last 10 minutes saw Falmouth lay siege to the Bridgwater box but it all looked to no avail until deep into injury time a free-kick was given ten yards outside the Bridgwater goal area.
As the kick was being set up, skipper James Ward chose to position himself in an offside position in front of the away keeper Isaac Finch. As Tom Annear shaped up to take the kick, Ward ran away and Annear hit the target with a dipping shot out of the keeper's reach.
The crowd went wild, but the ref went over to consult his lineman who had not raised his flag.
After some consultation, the ref decided to disallow the goal and give the goal kick to Bridgwater. A very controversial decision as Ward did not appear to be interfering with play.
The game ended with a 1-0 win to the away side who hardly had a shot at goal in the whole game but took their chance when it came and defended superbly throughout.
Falmouth now have an FA Vase tie at home to Hartpury on Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here