AFC Bridgnorth followed up their opening league point against Shawbury United with their first win of the season away at Smethwick Rangers, Charlie Swingwood scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Bridgnorth were made to work hard for all three points however, especially in the second half as Smethwick put them under significant pressure.
Bridgnorth began the game well, Mark Danks having a second minute shot from distance parried and Brett Taylor dragging a seventh minute effort wide from the edge of the box after driving forward with the ball from the halfway line. Danks curled another effort wide after cutting in from the left before Smethwick had their first real chance, a breakaway resulting in a shot that was blocked on the line. In the 24th minute a good forward ball by Elliott Lee into Luke Morris ended with a shot that was curled wide across the face of goal, before Smethwick had a shot saved the resulting corner was scrambled off the line. Bridgnorth took the lead just after the half hour mark, Danks jinking free on the right of the box before lofting the ball to the far post for the unmarked Swingwood to gently nod the ball over the line. Into the final five minutes of the half, another driving run down the right by Taylor led to a dangerous cross that was lacking a finish, with the final chance of the half being a Smethwick shot that was wide of the target. HT 1-0 AFC Bridgnorth.
It became apparent from the start of the second half that Bridgnorth were in for a difficult task if they wanted to maintain their lead as the wind that had perhaps gone un-noticed in the first half made it very difficult to properly clear their lines. Bridgnorth were struggling to build proper attacks as a result and Smethwick were sustaining attacks far better but with the exception of a 64th minute corner that was headed straight at Bridgnorth ‘keeper Ryan Cheshire, they should have created more clear chances for their efforts. Bridgnorth continued to battle hard, a 71st minute corner by Danks almost finished at the far post by Scott Becker probably their best chance of the half as both sides made a number of substitutes in an effort to bring fresh legs and impetus. Cheshire pushed another Smethwick shot wide for a corner in the 83rd minute before substitute Woody Norman almost marked his debut with a goal, firing a shot across goal that went just wide. Bridgnorth were indebted to Cheshire for securing the points in injury time with an incredible double save, the second blocking a follow-up effort inside the six yard box with his feet at close range. FT 1-0 AFC Bridgnorth.
Having four league points on the board after their opening two away matches, Bridgnorth expect to face a much sterner test in their opening home fixture against last year’s beaten play-off finalists Droitwich Spa on Wednesday 16th August.