10.30am 5 March 2022
South West Counties Youth League, Gary Else Memorial League Cup, Semi-Final
Bridgwater United U18 4 Wimborne Town U18 0 (att 40)
Not for the first time recently this match was my hastily-organised plan B. I had been intending to see the other semi-final, between Torquay United and Yeovil Town, but that was postponed late on Friday.
Fortunately this tie was within range of both my overnight base in Taunton and my first choice afternoon game in Cornwall, and proved a good way of spending Saturday morning.
The South West Counties League used to be home to youth sides of the region's professional clubs, before youth football at 'elite' level was reorganised. These days it's a single division of non-League clubs.
Bridgwater United (known as Town before the start of this season) may not be among the biggest non-League clubs, but on this evidence they have a good youth set up.
They were much too strong for Wimborne, playing some good football and scoring twice in each half for a comfortable passage into the final. They'll play whoever wins the postponed match between Torquay and Yeovil, and they'll be tough to beat.
Bridgwater's youth team seems to have a connection with Bridgwater and Taunton College, reflected in the players' kit and the their home pitch. They play on a 3G at the college, although it is also immediately adjacent to the football club's senior ground, with the town's rugby stadium beyond.
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