HINCKLEY AFC 7-0 AFC BRIDGNORTH: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT MATCH REPORT...

 Bridgnorth Collapse As Hinckley Find Routes To Goal…

Hinckley AFC 7-0 AFC Bridgnorth

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Following a frustrating opening period for the hosts, the floodgates opened after the break and Bridgnorth must have been embarrassed by the margin of defeat suffered. Conceding six goals in midweek at Droitwich, then seven during this game was surely galling for several of their players who had battled manfully during the first 45…

I WOULD STAND FURTHER LEFT OF THE DUGOUTS...

CHANDLER PEGG, HAT-TRICK MAN...

Only a goal by stumbling Hinckley striker Chandler Pegg separated the teams at the interval but that soon changed and in truth, the guests were in total disarray by the finish. The Bridgnorth Twitter account simply read ‘No comment…’ post-match and I guess that summed up the club’s opinion about their trip to Barwell on, er, April Fool’s Day. 

There was some robust centre-forward play by Bridgnorth’s Ryan Bradshaw at times but his two efforts at goal, a shot blocked by Hinckley’s Sam Walton and a weak lopping header after the break, were the only efforts he mustered. Luke Morris was also denied by a fine Walton challenge near the left byeline during the opening period. However, the neat footwork of visiting player Ryan Taylor was evident now and again and his 16 yard drive during the second period was well tipped over his crossbar by home custodian Brandon Bache. Certainly Taylor was more effective in a deeper role than he had been in his earlier position on the right flank.

Hinckley basically rolled over their opponents and striker Chandler Pegg nabbed a poacher’s hat-trick, as well as going close three or four more times but the support he received from full-backs Matt Dawson and Danny Fraser was positive, whilst Isa Abraham was a magnet for two defenders regularly and Lewis Rankin buzzed about in midfield. One strange thing about the first-half was that Hinckley’s Tom Weale was offered so much space by Bridgnorth in which he could receive passes in the midfield areas and spread passes about, then after the recess home right-back Dawson was left in yards of open space too and he so exploited it during the second 45…

The second period romp…  

Young visiting goalie Harvey Coley had already stopped a low Sam Ellis shot early in the match, then an effort from the marauding Fraser, as his team held up fairly well until 3.45pm. However a Joe Obi header from Weale’s left-side corner was close to being signalled a goal as Bradshaw managed to nod it away from around the goal-line area. Hinckley had thought that that was actually a goal… When the first goal actually arrived it was unfortunate for the visitors, for Coley’s clearance towards Will Reid on the left, bounced up onto the defender’s chest and unbalanced him. That was when the rapid Dawson nipped in to intercept and the ball ran on to Pegg, 18 yards out, who stumbled as Calum Hill challenged him. However, he kept possession, stood again and with six opponents round him, side-footed a low left-booted shot beyond Coley and into the left corner of the net from 17 yards…  

JOE HAS SPOTTED A PIGEON...

Pegg had already slipped a shot wide of the left upright from the left edge of the 6 yard box and Coley had been surprised when another low Ellis shot suddenly took a leap and bounced off his forearms for a corner, which he caught smartly.

Lewis Collins for the hosts and Matt Dean for the guests had been cautioned in an opening half which actually hadn’t been rough at all…

So, after the break Rankin curled a low 18 yarder just past the left upright and Pegg somehow glanced a free-header from Abraham’s left-flank centre past the right stick. Finally though, Dawson was fed on the right side by the alert Weale and he took the ball infield well, before clipping a really neat shot into the right corner of the net, as Coley dived in vain.   

Then after Pegg was upended by Matt Dudleyand fell like a broken deckchair on Mawgan Porth beach, 19 yards out Rankin’s low left-foot curling free-kick from downtown was fumbled to his right by the falling Coley and with two colleagues in his way, he was unable to regain possession as Abraham lurked. Thus Walton pleasurably smacked the ball into the net near the left upright. Dudley had been cautioned for the foul on Pegg too...

Minutes later Dawson almost repeated his earlier goal heroics, again cutting in from the right and this time firing a low left-footer, which again Coley was unable to hold onto as he tumbled right and there was Pegg, sniffing the chance and Hinckley led 4-0.

Goal five was a horror show for Bridgnorth, as defender Dudley, 11 yards out and harassed by Ellis poked a foot out at Fraser’s left-side delivery and the ball soared upwards then dropped into the right side of his own net, leaving Coley looking on helplessly…

Another superb Dawson run to the right byeline led to a low centre across the goalmouth which Pegg only just failed to convert but his hat-trick was soon completed with a strong piece of offensive play, as he battled for a long pass at 18 yards. The ball bounced up awkwardly for Bridgnorth’s Hill but Pegg outfought the defender and bore towards goal, doing well to veer right past the advancing Coley and subsequently he found the net from an awkward angle…

A little later Pegg might have passed the ball after cutting in from the right, Dawson-style, but in the kind of form he’s in, it was no surprise that he took a shot, unfortunately pulling it wide of the right post…

DEAN IS CAUTIONED...

Rankin finally netted to crown his lively second-period when another Dawson centre from the right landed at Fraser’s feet, he nudged the ball to Pegg who touched it to Rankin. The forward tricked one defender then shoved a right-footer at goal and his effort went past one defender’s leg and through those of Ryan Hadley on its way into the net. Oh, dear…

A flying effort by Pegg flew well off target as the game ended with  Bridgnorth looking totally inept, deflated and presumably wanting to go home…

COLLINS IS BOOKED BUT THEN WASN'T FIT ENOUGH TO RESUME AFTER THE INTERVAL...

The final words…

A comprehensive victory for Hinckley was aided in no small way by the performance of half-time replacement Harry Walker-Donovan, whose crisp play brought a refreshing addition to the Hinckley cause. Certainly Ellis and Weale played their parts in midfield too but the effect on the outcome of the contest by full-backs Dawson and Fraser cannot be underestimated. Pacy, eager and supportive, the pair tore strips off Bridgnorth’s edge-defensive tactics, whilst Abraham drew the attentions of the overworked Dean throughout the contest.

Pegg continues to find the net and he must surely hope that chances keep falling his way regularly now that the season is reaching its crescendo. The play-offs are so important to Hinckley this term and the last pair of league outings have brought them 11 goals and none conceded, with ‘keeper Bache having to make just two direct saves… Good form indeed… 

It really is…

YELLOW CARD FOR DUDLEY & THEN HE SCORED AN OWN-GOAL.
NOT A GOOD DAY FOR HIM, I GUESS...

Bridgnorth, despite the industry of Hadley in the trenches, the neatness of Taylor in possession and the physical strength of Bradshaw in attack, looked feeble in defence at times, despite the efforts of Hill and Dudley. Goalie Coley will have less tremulous afternoons, that’s for sure and the team could do with a morale boost at Nuneaton Griff on Easter Monday…

They really could…