Match Report: Launceston 0 v 4 Wadebridge Town

A strong performance from the whole squad.

We kept our standards high, right throughout, despite the game essentially being won after half an hour.

Maintained good habits and didn’t let the intensity drop.

A Pleasing display.

LAUNCESTON  (0) 0

WADEBRIDGE  (3) 4    Beare 21′  Rapsey 26′  Gerken 29′  Lloyd 59′

ATT  70

MOM   Sam Gerken (Wadebridge) 

Launceston came into the match unbeaten in the last two games after a difficult start to the season. The Bridgers were on a decent run themselves winning the last two matches by a 2-0 scoreline and excellent keeper Rob Rosevear looking for his third straight clean sheet. Was watching him warm up before the game and he looks like a keeper on top of his game, footy a great game when you’re full of confidence that Robs performances adhere to with the excellent help of superb keeper coach Wayne Roberts, great guy to have around for Rower and the rest of his team.

Talking of great keepers was nice to catch up with Paul Spider Hider an old mate and  a bloke that’s cost me a few goals over the years that’s for sure!! Now assisting ex pro Neil Price in the home dugout. Spider mentioned their performances are on the up and mentioned a few good players in their fairly young team, must say I was impressed with the diminutive number 4 James Hanson who looked really sharp in midfield, a recent signing from Callington I believe?

The visitors were right at it from the start though and Matt Lloyd was unlucky when he curled a 15 yard shot against the foot of the post in the 5th minute. He went clear ten minutes later but shot wide of the post under pressure from a covering defender chasing back.

⚽️ The Bridgers got the goal their dominance deserved in the 21st minute and also the best of the game when captain Tom Strike picked out man of the match Sam Gerken with a lovely little clip into space on the right where Gerken drilled the ball back to the edge of the area and Ross Beare met it with a fantastic strike across the keeper and into the far corner.

⚽️⚽️ The lead was doubled 5 minutes later when Lloyd cut in from the left and drilled the ball across the 6 yard box for the keeper to parry out but Jack Rapsey was on the spot to react quickest and head in the rebound.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ 3 goals in 8 minutes where completed when Morgan Vallejos pinpoint inswinging corner was met by the superb Gerken to power home a near post header his performance deserved on the day.

The in form Jacob Smale then cut in from the right after 38’ but shot wide at the near post with a couple of players in better positions.

Launceston offered their best response of the game with two efforts on goal after 35’ and 37’ leading up to the break. Both efforts were created on the left with Rosevear parrying out the first shot to his left before making an even better save with his feet at his near post.

Lloyd was well placed right on half time but his low strike saw the keeper sit on the ball to save.

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ The busy Lloyd cut in from the right 3 minutes into the 2nd half but mishit his shot straight at the keeper from 12 yards but he was eventually not to be denied a goal in the 59th minute when a badly underhit back pass saw him race on and get to the ball before the keeper to toe poke past him into the far corner.

The Bridgers showed their strength in depth using all 5 quality substitutes and seeing out the game quite comfortably in the last half hour with a match against title favourites St.Blazey to come on Weds night, and without the hosts ever really threatening their goal again in the 2nd half where Rosevear has now gone 294 minutes without conceding a goal, but with Blazey coming to Town with 8 wins from 8 and the only 100 %  record in the league after their 4-1 win over Bodmin today and the news of  fellow favourites Liskeard playing out a goalless draw at Newquay it’s everything to play for.

WADEBRIDGE

1) Rosevear

20) Gerken, ⭐️  5) Simmonds,   19) Carron,   2) Harris,

6) Beare,   4) Strike (c)   14)Vallejo,

11) Smale,   8) Rapsey   10) Lloyd

Subs)  7) Reski,  21) Rowe,  17) Sargent,  15) Shepherd,  16) McLachlan.