Weston College hosted Team BC at Hand Stadium (Clevedon FC) in an AoC North Division top of the table clash on December 2nd.
The travelling side arrived with a changed squad due to many recent injuries but confident of achieving a result against the league leaders. The game started brightly for the away side, controlling possession early on and applying pressure to Weston’s defence, pinning them into their own half.
With 20 minutes played, Weston hit a 40-yard diagonal ball which caught Team BC’s defence out and took the lead against the run of play. The goal gave Weston momentum and they started to knock the ball round nicely as the visitors tried to remain solid at the back.
Tireless running from Josh Evans and Kieran Ireland continued to win the ball back in midfield and create attacks, winning a series of corners but unfortunately couldn’t convert these opportunities. Weston piled the pressure on and missed a few clear cut chances towards half time along with some brilliant defending from Charlie White and Rhys Hayward which could have seen Team BC three or four goals down. Team BC went into the half time break the happier of the two sides despite being a goal down after holding their own and seeing off the pressure from Weston.
Team BC started the second-half strongly but after giving possession away in midfield, Weston played another diagonal ball out wide and Team BC goalkeeper James Annison came off his line, misjudging the flight of the ball as the Weston forward reached it first, slotting the ball into the far corner.
With 30 minutes remaining the away side looked to get back into the game. Team BC coaches decided to tweak the formation and advance Alex Male forward to play two players in the number 10 role behind striker Josh Evans.
A Harry Hamblin strike from 25 yards troubled the Weston keeper, forcing a mistake and palming the ball towards Evans, who tapped home from close range make the score back 2 – 1.
With momentum thoroughly behind Team BC they continued to press and hassle the Weston defence, leading Evans to beat a player and was brought down in the box. Alex Male stepped up to take the penalty and but saw his spot kick saved as the poorly placed shot was blocked at the keepers left.
This didn’t affect Team BC’s game and within five minutes they were through again when Owen Sellick controlled a long ball forward, breaking into the box only to miss hit the ball high and wide from 10 yards. Another let off for Weston, who still lead 2 – 1.
Into the 80th Minute of the game, Team BC continued to press and win another series of corners. This time Sellick found himself unmarked at the front post and volleyed home into the top corner.
Team BC remained in the ascendancy, going for the three points, continuing to press. Weston reshaped to strengthen their defence which was looking vulnerable and on the 88th minute they got the reward for their efforts. Evans found room to turn, breaking into the box and putting everything into his strike to beat the goalkeeper at the near post, firing high into the roof of the net.
The Team BC players worked incredibly hard to score three goals and take the lead for the first time in the game. They made themselves compact and saw out the last three minutes claiming a very hard fought win, beating local rivals Weston College for the second time this season.
Team BC Coach Tom Sage said,
“I am so proud of the character and desire the players showed today throughout the whole game, they never gave up and they never stopped working hard. We work hard in training and it shows in our performances when we perform like we did this afternoon. We always promote that hard work will always beat talent and this was proved this afternoon when our backs were against the wall the players continued to work hard until the very end of the game and managed to score two goals late on enabling us to win the game. To come back from 2 – 0 down to beat local rivals and league leaders Weston 3 – 2 away is a massive incentive to now go on and regain our winning form which we had at the start of the season and hopefully book our place in the playoffs.”
