Team BTC/BTFC hosted their Welsh counterparts Newport County AFC this Saturday looking to turn their recent good form into points. The presence of new BTFC first team boss Phil Hucker, watching on the sidelines was another incentive for Tom Sage's U18 squad and a clear sign that Hucker has heard promising things about these players.

The opening 20 minutes didn't disappoint either Sage or Hucker, as Team BTC/BTFC took the game to County and striker Liam Gilbert had a golden chance to put the home team in front. Keelan Gunningham and Kieran Ireland combined down the right hand side to release Gilbert with a one on one with the keeper but his shot went wide of the post when a goal looked certain.

The home team dominated possession with County sitting deep and found it difficult to get out of their half and Team BTC/BTFC rued another missed opportunity. Liam Winter whipped a curling corner into the box and it just required Nash Eastwood to back heel the ball over the line for a deserved opening goal but a slight hesitation meant County cleared their lines just in time.

County broke the deadline against the run of play as Winter was dispossessed after another attack broke down and the 40-yard clearance fell to the visiting striker. He took the opportunity to shoot from 25 yards out with the home defenders looking to cover and close down the striker but the shot flew into the top corner leaving Harrison Buller completely stranded. County went into the half time break one nil up.

The second half saw a more offensive minded County looking to grab a second but Team BTFC/BTFC dominated possession once again and introduced Sam Sheldrake, Oli Hucker and Lewis Neal to replace Peters, Gilbert and Hamblin. The home side played with 3 forwards to try and force an equaliser and pushed County back into their half for long periods.

Lewis very nearly got the home side off the mark after 70 minutes when an Eastwood flick on saw him bear down on goal but the visiting keeper pushed the shot away to frustrate the home team once again.

The final 5 minutes could have seen goals at either end as Team BTFC/BTFC pushed more players forward to secure an equaliser but the ball just would not fall in the right place and County forced a good save from Buller as they counter attacked a depleted defensive line that had players sprinting back from a previous attack.

As the final whistle was blown a relieved County took the spoils after a resolute defensive display and Team BTFC/BTFC were left disappointed but receiving the plaudits for playing so well once again.

Manager Tom Sage said,

“The players are understandably frustrated about not getting any points from the game today but as we know this is a great development league and we see week on week that the players are individually and collectively developing and improving. Having the club's first team manager watching the team today was a great boost for the lads and shows that the College and club football performance pathway is highly valued and these players will get their chance to play at a higher standard. The future is bright!”