Men’s Football Team BC Elite South played away to a strong Exeter College first team in the National Cup and put in a brave, battling performance with a skeleton squad.
Due to injuries and college trips the Elite south only travelled with a squad of eleven. This didn’t stop the team putting a good performance, that gives hope for when they get their full squad back, they can kick start their season.
The away team lined up with yet another change in the back line with Danny Mahoney moving to centre forward and the impressive Jason Roots taking up the centre back role. With Tom Blackwell alongside them the defence, he gave his most solid performance of the season so far.
The home side went one up with Ryan Jeffries putting the ball into his own net after a dangerous ball came across the six-yard box. The goal came from good link up play from Exeter’s right back and winger, which troubled the Team BC defence all game. It didn’t take long for Bridgwater to level the score-line with a calm left footed strike from Mahoney, the front line closed in on the home team’s defence after winning the ball back in a dangerous area.
Exeter regained the lead going into the break at 2 – 1 after a good finish from the home forward. Bridgwater Elite South new look team battled bravely to keep Exeter within touching distance as the home failed to convert a penalty before the break.
Team BC kept a good shape going into the second half as the team adapted to playing in the new formation, but the visitors suffered with two quick goals coming from a corner and good link up play from the wing.
With the score at 4 – 1, Exeter expected their opponents to surrender defeat, but Bridgwater kept working hard for each other and great work rate from Will Bartlett epitomised that. With injuries starting to affect the team, this was starting to look too much to overcome. This was proved right after a rare mistake from keeper Ashton Granter, who otherwise had a good game, gifted Exeter their fifth goal.
With minutes left on the clock and the BC players having worked tirelessly all game they deservedly earned a great consultation goal. Savvas Petrou scored a glorious free kick from 25 yards, bending the ball into the top right hand corner of the keeper’s net.
The travelling Team BC had given everything they had, with the final score ending 5 – 2 to Exeter. Ashley Massingham Team BC coach said,
“If the players can give this amount of fight and determination every week then we will turn this season around.”
Team BC Man of the Match was Jason Roots for a great performance in defence and epitomised the effort of all the players. Next week Team BC Elite South are back in league action against Richard Huish away next Wednesday (21 October).
