The Team BTC Women’s footballers travelled to Coleg Y Cymoedd in the hunt for the ECFA Category 1 title, needing a win and results to go their way.

Team BTC started slowly and were quickly punished when a ball was played in behind the defense and the opposing forward cooly finished. This sparked BTC into life and they were level within two minutes when a Faith Bedford cross fell to Jenna Markham, whose shot deflected into the path of Taylor Ford. Ford delicately lifted the ball over the home goalkeeper.

A second goal came as quickly as the first. Tia Asker regained possession in midfield for the troubling Faith Bedford to play Jenna Markham in on goal, who made no mistake in scoring from 12 yards. A defensive mix up allowed Cymoedd to equalise just before the break, making it 2-2 at half time.

The second half was a cagey affair, with both teams defenses becoming dominant; Gracie Owen, Jennie Habbits, Sam Cox and Keeley Banfield looked resilient in dealing with any threat from Cymoedd, whilst Megan Davies and Katie Garratt worked tirelessly in midfield.

The introduction of Brooke Stirrup, Freya Gudge and Niamh Nicholls allowed BTC to step up their threat for a winner which soon came when Markham was able to dispossess the goalkeeper and roll the ball into an empty net.

Cymoedd hunted for an equaliser, but the BTC goal was marshalled well by Ellie Mitchell who commanded the box and dealt with any crosses from the home side, keeping the 3-2 score to end the match.

The game ended with a friendly penalty shoot out in preparation for Cymoedd’s involvement in the cup and BTC’s involvement in the Somerset Cup final. Jennie Habbits, Katie Garratt, Niamh Nicholls, Brooke Stirrup, Sam Cox and Ellie Mitchell all converted from 12 yards, while Cymoedd failed to do so as a towering Ellie Mitchell looked impossible to beat.

For more information about Team BTC and other sporting options at Bridgwater & Taunton College, please visit the Sport at BTC page.