Calor League Division 1 S&W

Didcot Town 2, Bridgwater Town 2

TEN-man Bridgwater Town battled to a hard-earned point at high-flying Didcot Town on Saturday, in a game marred by the sending-off of Kyle Tooze after just 16 minutes, writes Eddie Robinson.

Tooze challenged for a 50/50 ball and was given his marching orders, despite no malice or evil intent – before Joe Bushin and Tom Knighton fired the Robins into a surprise lead.

Didcot battled back to level things up but Bridgwater held on for a deserved point.

In the time before the sending-off, Tooze had been Bridgwater’s biggest threat, twice being sent through by Knighton who was making space for himself in the middle of the Didcot half – and, on the second occasion, his cross was inches too high for Bushin.

Didcot, effectively second in the league because of games in hand, following their great run in the FA Trophy, came close when the league’s leading scorer, Mills, shot wide from a chance created by Dutton-Black.

On 35 minutes, Joe Bushin won the ball on the half-way line as the Didcot defence dithered but he still had a lot to do before slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper to give the visitors the lead.

Three minutes later it was surprisingly 2-0 – Allward’s throw found Bushin, whose header across goal was nodded in by Knighton.

Hopes of taking the lead into half-time were dashed when Dutton-Black popped up in space to lob the ball into the top corner.

Didcot started the second-half on the front foot and equalised within five minutes when tall centre back Carvell remained up front following a corner headed home.

The task of holding out for 40 minutes plus the considerable stoppage time was a formidable one – one more score spelt certain defeat.

That it didn’t come was down to great defensive work by young central defenders Allan and Thomas, while behind them John, who had been untroubled in the first-half, made two great fingertip saves.

In fact, the whole team gave 100% – upset by a sense of injustice – and battled to claim a point.

Town: John, Grimshaw, Allan, Thomas, Allward, Robertson, Chamberlain (Welling 90), O’Hare, Bushin (Byrne 60), Knighton (Rudge 89), Tooze.