Team BTC Vs Wimborne (League)

Team BTC faced Wimborne on Saturday, it was a preview of the match they will have to play against the same team in the semi-final of the Gary Else Cup in a few weeks time. Both sides enjoyed good spells of possession during the early exchanges with the first chance falling to the home side, but Allen denied him. BTC had a fair share of chances, with Scott, Byrne and the returning Coppin all coming close. Reed was forced off early due to injury, leading to a change of system. Purser, Kruszynski and Biggs defended well with the support of Durrant and Chivers who provided a good platform to build upon. Byrne, Cottrill and Ham controlled the play in the middle of the park with Watts, in a higher position, causing problems. Neither side had managed to break through so it seemed as though half time would come around goalless, until a direct pass from Allen found Coppin who reacted quickly to score a rebound.

Team BTC returned revitalised following the interval, leading to a flurry of early chances in the second half, none of which managed to find the back of the net. Wimborne changed tactics and committed more men forward, soon finding themselves 2-1 up after 4 long minutes. The first goal was dispatched into the bottom corner as BTC stood off and allowed the attacker too much time and space. The second came from some indecision in the defence and the striker was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. Plant was introduced on the right hand side to inject some pace going forward and he came close, rattling the ball of the post on 65 minutes. Not to be deterred, Team BTC continued to probe for an equaliser, with it finally coming after Watts cut inside and fired a shot past the keeper to score the equaliser. The goal seemed to spur the team on as they hunted for the winner. It came less than a minute later as the ball fell to Ham, on the edge of the area ,who smashed the ball back across the keeper into the bottom corner to put BTC back in front. Powell returned from injury into the back line and defended with real maturity to see out the win.

Man of the match: Nathan Byrne for yet another mature performance in the middle of midfield. Creating chances going forward with great play on the ball and working hard out of possession to help the team.