MAN OF THE MATCH: Adam New

 

Bridgford Sundays have this week been knocked out of the cup by top division opposition, Man in Space. The team lost 6-2 away from home in Eastwood.

Bridgford started the game well and took the lead with an early goal from Adam New. The team began with some good passing football and composure in possession that was eventually undermined by their opposition’s combative and effective style as the game got going. New’s goal was perhaps the best of the match, receiving the ball in a central position just outside the area, he shot hard and to the keeper’s right.

However, it was Man in Space, rather than Bridgford, who went into the half time break ahead. They scored two goals in a first half in which they proved themselves to be the keener side – they were stronger in the tackle and recycled possession in a way that Bridgford seemed unable to equal. The second of these two goals was perhaps more dubious than the first – the referee allowed play to continue after ignoring his linesman’s offside flag.

Bridgford did up their game in the last ten minutes of this first period but couldn’t draw level. They also started the second half well but again it was Man in Space who capitalised on chances to pull away into a comfortable lead. Goals three and four came in quick succession after one another, and the score later became five from the penalty spot. Their sixth goal was probably their best – the striker cut inside from a wide left position before turning the ball back across Gealy, the Bridgford keeper, and into the net.

It remained only for Bridgford to get a late consolation: Jaz Sidhu, moving from his regular central midfield position to a centre-forward role part way through the second half, did the hard work before squaring the ball to Danny Weston for a tap in.

Whilst Bridgford were soundly beaten by a team in the league above their own, the run of the game suggested that if they had only played their own game as they are on occasion able, they would have been tough opposition for Man in Space. Having now been knocked out of both cups, it only remains for the team to chase the league title without distraction until the end of the season.