Team BC & Bridgwater Town Reserves put in a solid team performance to overcome a battling Dundry Athletic side in their League Cup Semi Final on Saturday.
Bridgwater travelled to a confident Dundry Athletic side who had only last week sealed the Division One East League title and promotion to the Somerset County League Premier Division.
Playing up the slope and in to a strong headwind, Bridgwater started the brighter, and powerful forward Chris Young broke through the Dundry defence with a strong run and fired a shot that went narrowly over.
After 20 minutes, Young went close again with a dazzling run into the box, beating 3 defenders but his shot failed to test the home keeper. At the other end, Bridgwater's central defensive partnership, Josh White and Harry Horton, dealt with Dundry's direct style with ease and young keeper James Annison did well to claim a couple of tricky crosses under pressure.
Shortly before the interval, Bridgwater took a deserved lead when Owen Sellick teed up Matt Hurley who slotted the ball home from close range.
In the second half, playing down the slope with the wind behind them, Bridgwater pinned Dundry back deep inside their own half with Andy Venning and Mike Duffy working hard to break up play in the midfield.
Bridgwater doubled their advantage 55 minutes in when the ball fell to Hurley on the edge of the box and his powerful half volley left the keeper with no chance.
The second goal added to Bridgwater's momentum and the away side had a string of opportunities to extend their lead further but Young, Hurley and then Young again all failed to convert after some good build up play.
The closing stages of the game were dominated by Bridgwater as the battling Dundry side began to tire and Bridgwater held on comfortably to seal a spot in the Somerset County league cup final. They will face current premier division league leaders Shirehampton in the final at Street FC on May 14th 7:30pm after the Bristol based team overcame Watchet 4 – 2 in the other semi final.
Manger Luke Buckingham said,
“It was a difficult game today, and Dundry were full of confidence having had a great season. The pitch and the wind made it difficult to play our usual free flowing game, but the work rate throughout the team was fantastic and we dealt with their direct and aggressive approach well, having learnt some tough lessons in recent weeks.
“This group of players have totally bought in to what we have been trying to achieve from day 1, and it's been a pleasure to see how much each of them have developed over the season. We have already achieved the highest league points total this team has had for 5 years which is with the youngest squad in the clubs history and to reach a cup final as well is a reflection of the potential these players.”
