Bridgwater & Taunton Men’s Performance squad had their second win in three weeks at SGS, this being in the second round of the Premier Cup.

Bridgwater & Taunton College started the game very well, keeping possession and forcing SGS onto the back foot. Goalkeeper Harrison Buller didn’t have a save to make in the first half and the back three three of Keelan Gunningham, Paul Grant (star man for the second week in a row) and Elliott Calvert contained the SGS attack. Buller’s long kick up-field, always troubled the SGS defence, Danny Mahoney and Niall Carr were also pressurising their central defensive partnership.

Bridgwater & Taunton were creating some good chances especially with Olie Hucker’s long throw-in into the heart of the SGS penalty area which they were never able to cope with effectively. We continued to search for the opening goal, Josh Evans more prominent in the game now with his darting runs through midfield were very effective.

It was from another Olie Hucker throw in that created the first goal for Team BTC, Hucker launched the ball deep into the heart of the SGS penalty area and Paul Grant, ghosting in like Martin Peters of old, headed the ball past the floundering keeper, a well-deserved goal. 5 minutes later Bridgwater & Taunton doubled their lead a fantastic long ball from Buller found Evans, who outpaced the centre half to pass the ball past their hesitant keeper 2 – 0 at half-time.

SGS put a lot of pressure on Team BTC at the start of the second half, creating some half chances but Sam Sheldrake James, Salt and Liam Winter were defending resolutely and protecting the back three. The introduction of Tom Lealand, Jai Nevison and Fin Giblin added to defensive and attacking options with Lealand playing a midfield defensive role. Giblin and Nevison got into good attacking positions on the flanks.

With 20 minutes to play SGS scored their only goal. Poor defence and not clearing the ball resulted in a scramble on the bye-line which led to a simple cross that the SGS forward merely tapped into the empty net. Team BTC defended much better from then on to see the game out. Buller only needed to make one more good save to complete a rewarding victory on top of a very competent performance from the whole squad.

Coaches Sage and Bennett said,

“We are convinced that this squad has a lot of potential, their commitment and ability is clearly evident, and through their performances so far they have set high standard for themselves. Well done Performance Squad.”