BTFC/Team BTC U18’s travelled up to Cirencester Town FC for their fourth league fixture of the 2016/17 campaign in the South West Counties Youth League.
A cold frosty morning ensured the pitch was wet and slippery and enabled both sides to play the ball crisply whilst keeping possession. Slightly light on numbers Team BTC travelled with 13 players but none the less still a strong 13 showing the depth of the squad and the importance/value of Team BTC’s recruitment.
A slow start and an early injury for Niall Carr meant an early opening 15 minute substitution for Team BTC who brought on a young year 11 from Weston-Super-Mare, Lewis Neal as his replacement. 5 minutes later a needless foul in the box earned Cirencester a penalty and a chance to go ahead in a game which hadn’t really got going for either side which they converted with no issues.
The goal benefited Team BTC more than it did Cirencester as they woke up and started to move the ball with more urgency and accuracy. After a few great saves from the Cirencester goalkeeper Liam Winter picked up the ball on the left hand side of the Cirencester penalty area just outside and sweetly curled a shot away from the goalkeeper across goal and in off the far post to leave the game poised at 1 – 1 at half time.
A bright start to the second half saw Team BTC get stronger and stronger as the half went on, dominating in all areas and not being threatened. Nash Eastwood had an ideal opportunity to put the visitors ahead with a sweetly struck shot which crashed against the bar.
The next 10 minutes saw Team BTC have several shots and force more good saves but eventually the ball broke down the right to young Lewis Neal who took on the full back and delivered a pin point cross into Nash Eastwood who scored a spectacular diving header to win the match for Team BTC.
A well-deserved 3 points and Team BTC’s unbeaten run in the league stretches to 4 games, 3 of which have been played away from home against tough opposition.
Coach Tom Sage said,
“It’s a great feeling for myself and the players to be able to really see the progress made in comparison to this time last year when we came here and got beaten 6 – 1 in our very first game in this league.
“The attitude of the players is second to none and their desire to ensure they get on the front foot in games is remarkable. It’s a pleasure to see them enjoying their football and developing at great rates. If we concede early on heads raise rather than drop, if we go ahead the players ensure that they remain focussed and are ruthless in terms of continuing to attack and go for more goals.
“The best teams are ruthless and don’t let their foot off of the pedal for 90 minutes. You can really see the development and progress these players have made and we still have two thirds of the season left to go with this particular set of players and the pathway available to them will see them continue to grow and hopefully represent Bridgwater Town first team.”
