Bridgewater made light work of a potential upset today, by producing a confident and composed performance to ease past opponents Greenbank Prep. The team moved into the last eight of the ISA North Cup competition and will be a tough test for whoever is drawn against them.
Greenbank were hoping to avoid a “déjà vu” scenario, having lost to the U9s earlier in the term. However, Bridgewater took control of the game almost from the kick off, with a neat passing move putting striker Tommy Jack in on goal. The blocked shot fell at the feet of Alfie who slotted the ball home calmly for a 1-0 lead. A misunderstanding at the back let Greenbank into the game to level the scores moments later. This was to be the closest the hosts would get in the match, as Bridgewater moved through the gears to surge ahead. Tommy Jack restored the lead with a nice finish, before Alfie took charge with his second and third goals of the game. Bridgewater went into the half time break 4-1 up and in complete control of the tie.
With Josh and Alfie rested at the start of the second half, it was left to Tommy Jack, Alex and Anton to take the fight to Greenbank. Molly and Toby proved to be a formidable pairing at the back, whilst Joel and Luca B provided protection in front of the defence. When attacks did break through, keeper Luca C made a string of great saves to maintain the Bridgewater lead.
When the hosts pulled a goal back it was time for Josh and Alfie to reassume duties. It did not take long before the goals started to flow once more. Josh fired in two quick goals including a lovely free – kick, before flashing a volley narrowly wide to deny him his hat trick. Tommy Jack added another and continued to cause problems for the Greenbank defenders. Against the run of play and to the credit of the opposition, a goal was pulled back to give them some reward for their perseverance. The final goal of the game fell to Alfie, who drove home from what is now becoming his customary 25-yard trade mark strike. The final score of 8-3 was a more than fair reflection of the game and the U9s can be proud of their performances in rugby and football this term.