Bridgwater and Taunton College elite partnership TeamBTC/BTFC u18 football squad travelled to Wales to face Newport County AFC in good form, following their previous performance in the opening game of the season in the SWCYL against Weston and as such confidence was high.

However, it was the home side that opened the scoring after only 7 minutes after a fairly even opening with both teams testing each other out defensively.

Newports Ben Rose, opened the scoring after Reece Malcolm could only partially clear the ball and a quick interchange of passing saw Rose slot the ball past an exposed Eric Evans in the TeamBTC/BTFC goal from 8 yards out.

TeamBTC/BTFC remained calm after conceding the early goal and the midfield trio of Harry Hamblin, Ollie Hucker and Kieran Ireland began to find their passing range and pushed Newport back by utilising the space behind the high defensive line the home side took up and both Kofi Martin and Nash Eastwood found themselves being able to exploit this and both had chances to level the match after 20 minutes only to see their efforts saved by the impressive Newport goalkeeper.

Striker Jordan Lovibond had the best chance in the first half to bring the visitors level after marauding right back Keelan Gunningham linked up well with Martin and fired a dangerous cross across the face of the 6 yard box, but Lovibonds flick saw the ball go agonisingly wide and ensure Newport went in 1 nil up at the break.

Manager Tom Sage brought on year 1 scholar Liam Winter to make his SWCYL debut to replace an injured Ireland after 60 minutes and he immediately made an impact by releasing Lovibond down the left hand side and his pace took him past his marker but his shot was well saved at the front post by the home keeper once again.

The pressure was mounting on Newport with TeamBC/BTFC dominating possession and it finally paid off as a succession of corners saw Malcolm up ended in the penalty area as he was about to turn and shoot at goal after controlling the ball from a Lovibond cross.

Malcolm duly picked himself up to confidently slot the ball pass the keeper and the momentum was fully with TeamBTFC/BTFC.

Niall Carr, also making his debut, Jai Nevison and Spencer Kirkpatrick replaced the tiring Lovibond, and injured Max Cattle and Kane Tucker after 70 minutes and the game became very open with both teams looking for the win and all 3 valuable points.

However, the best chances came to the visiting forward line with both Martin and Winter coming close in the dying minutes with shots that narrowly went wide after good build up play from Carr, but the second goal simply wouldn't come and left TeamBC/BTFC disappointed with only getting a point on their away travels once again.

Manager Tom Sage said,

“We are very proud of the players and their performances today and the fact that we are disappointed about only gaining a point from today's match shows how the players are developing and adapting to this level of competition in this league. Newport are a very strong side and started well, but we held our shape and once we got into the game we could and should have scored 2 or 3 goals that would have taken us over the winning line, but nonetheless we are very pleased to the start we have made and look forward to the next set of games. We wish Newport all the best for the coming season and look forward to hosting them in a few months time”.