Report

So, we reach the Final match of Junior Football and Bitton knew they had already won the league. All the myths and nonsense about title play offs had been rubbished. However Bitton still wanted to end the season unbeaten and Stoke Lane set out with the intention of spoiling Bittons title party.

On a heavy pitch the game was played at a frantic pace. Neither goalkeeper was really troubled, but both were kept on their toes as the match played out with end to end football. The referee kept the game under control as tackles flew in from both sides in an attempt to finish the season with a win.

Ryan Mitchells cross came back off of the crossbar for Bitton, whilst Adam Thurstans cross along the Bitton 6 Yard box was as close as it got in the first half. In the second half, the game opened up as both teams pushed for the win. Luca Porcaro picked the ball up on the edge of the box, turned and rifled his shot over/through the Stoke Lane goalkeeper to put Bitton 1-0 up. But before Bitton had time to celebrate for long, a Stoke Lane corner was drilled in by Thurstan following a goalmouth scramble. Stoke Lane took the game to Bitton and Thurstan had two great chances to put the visitors ahead, the strikers was gifted the ball by Bittons midfield, but his first attempt was taken too far out, as he was put under pressure by the speedy Jake Garnett, whilst the second was foiled by a fantastic last gasp sliding tackle by Liam Henderson as Thurstan pulled the trigger from 8 yards out. Bitton responded and Stoke Lane were put under some pressure of their own as shots went close and Stoke Lane defenders saved one off the line, whilst their keeper made a fine save to keep the scores level.

And that's how it stayed, as the Final Whistle blew on their last game of Junior League Football. The result finished Bitton 1 v 1 Stoke Lane Athletic, which enabled Bitton to not only remain unbeaten in the League for 2 Full Seasons, but also retain the title of Avon Youth League Champions for the second successive season.

The Avon Youth League sent along a representitive to witness this special occasion.