Charlie White, Kofi Martin and James Anniston who all play for Bridgwater College's Team BC Elite squad and also for the College's partnership club Bridgwater Town FC U'18 and Reserve teams, were selected to play for Somerset FA U18 squad to face current league leaders Gloucestershire FA on Saturday 7th February at Almondsbury.
White captained the side on his 8th appearance for the county, gaining his county cap, lead the team out to a very wet and windy reception that made flowing football difficult at times to play.
Nonetheless, both teams persevered, with both sides going in level at 1 – 1 at half time. Somerset however, dominated the second half with the pick of the goals coming from a tremendous pass from Kofi Martin, after he took on two players and found his striker with a perfect pass, which he duly slotted home.
Not to be outdone, White scored a screamer to take the game completely away from their Gloucestershire counterparts to make it 4 – 1, as he was on the receiving end of another Martin dribble and pass and White sweetly struck a side footed 20 yard strike from the right hand side of the penalty area, to leave the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Goalkeeper James Anniston made his debut in the 50th minute and his commanding presence ensured his defensive colleagues were suitable focused and he produced a fine save from a rare Gloucestershire attack which ensured he kept a clean sheet in his first appearance for Somerset.
Somerset eventually ran out 6 – 1 winners and now face Cornwall FA in March and a winning result there will see them top their half of the league and progress into the South West FA League Cup Final.
Tom Sage, TeamBC/BTFC U'18 manager said,
“We are delighted to have another group of players represent the County and proud that the development programme in place with the College and Club for talented players is paying dividends and supporting their continued development.
“Charlie, Kofi and James are not only playing for the College, but are all playing for the Reserve team on a consistent basis and this bodes well for the future for the club's first team and manager Paul West is supporting our work fully and can see the future is bright for the club with a batch of young layers coming through.
“The football development programme we have for players aged 16 to 19 is the best accredited by the English College Football Association, as players can study any course they wish at an outstanding college and receive high class coaching from qualified FA and UEFA everyday. Players aged 14 to 16 can play and train at the Bridgwater Town FC Development Centre, where they are coached by college staff and this is all part of the long term player development pathway for local talented young footballers and is top quality provision.
“This is not just me saying this, we have recently been recognised by the National Association of Colleges Sport as being the best provider in the country for sport and the football provision at the college was part of that award, so we have national recognition that what we are doing is first class.
“Our provision is now seeing the very best players from across the county who want to develop their game, coming to Bridgwater College and progressing through this appropriate and realistic pathway into semi professional football with the club and having opportunities to play each week in the very best age appropriate College and club leagues and play representative football.”
