Team BC & Bridgwater Town Reserves put in a battling team display to overcome 3rd placed Cutters on Friday 28 February and climb to 8th in the table.
Due to recent poor weather, this game was switched from Cutters regular home ground to Keynsham Town FC 3G pitch. Bridgwater travelled to the game without experienced players Chris Young and Rob Snook and brought in 16-year-old Nash Eastwood. Eastwood is a promising young midfield player who has progressed from the Development Centre in to the youth team.
The slick playing surface suited Bridgwater's passing style, but Cutters had obviously done their homework and were determined to stop this through some strong tackles and pressure high up the pitch. To counter this, Bridgwater moved the ball wide early and utilised the pace of their front 3 of Matt Connick, Charlie White and Lee Villis.
Bridgwater took a deserved early lead when a long clearance for goalkeeper Josh Hayward evaded everyone and Lee Villis calmly lobbed the on rushing goalkeeper. Bridgwater continued to dominate possession and large amounts of territory but Cutters combative style disrupted the flow of the game and stopped Bridgwater from finding any real rhythm.
The second half couldn't have begun better for Bridgwater as from kick off the speedy Lee Villis broke free down the right and his inch perfect cross fell to Matt Connick whose excellent volley left the goalkeeper with no chance.
The goal stirred the home side, but their attacks were limited to hopeful long balls in to the box, and with young goalkeeper Josh Hayward and the centre back pairing of Josh White and Connor O'Neill in commanding form, Cutters struggled to create any clear cut chances. The home side did get a foothold in the game with 25 minutes left when Bridgwater conceded a needless foul in a wide area and the resultant free kick was bundled in from close range.
Within minutes of the goal, Cutters ill discipline bubbled over as an off the ball incident saw them reduced to 10 men. This triggered a string of tough tackles and Bridgwater lost youngsters Harry Horton and Charlie White to injuries in the closing stages.
The points were sealed for the away side with a few minutes left on the clock when substitute forward Tom Holder held off the Cutters centre back and cooly finished past the home keeper.
Manager Luke Buckingham said
“it was a huge test for our team today, the opposition knew that they wouldn't be able to live with us technically so it became a very physical game. I was delighted with the character the players and a result like this shows how far we have come since the start of the season.”
