Report

On a cold and foggy night, Bitton under 18's hosted Bishop Sutton at the Rapid Solicitors Ground in their last game of the season. Bittons squad consisted of the regular 'older' players, accompanied by the younger boys from the under 16 group.

Bishop Sutton started the liveliest as they needed all 3 points to stay in contention to win the Premier Division title, but it was Bitton that were in need of points to ensure they remained in the top flight next season that struck first.

In the 3rd minute George Wakefield spearheaded Bittons first attack, as he headed the ball past the full back and ran down the wing before driving a cross perfectly into the 6 yard box. Two Bitton strikers and a Bishop Sutton defender pounced to make contact, but it was Luca Porcaro that got the vital touch to put the ball in the back of the net to put Bitton 1-0 up.

Bishop Sutton were rocked, but came out fighting. They took the game to Bitton in search of an equaliser. Bittons defence of Kenway, Bradford, Penney and Murphy were tested time after time. Sutton's dominance resulted in corner after corner and free kick after dangerous free kick and the huge crowd thought it was only a matter of time before the away side got their goal. With the experience and physical presence of Edwards & Dorrington battling away in midfield Bitton got to the half time interval with their lead in tact.

During the second half Bishop Sutton started to run out of steam and the lack of a goal began to frustrate the travelling team. Bitton gained a foothold and started to ask questions of Sutton's defence. Wakefield & Rhys-Jones began to penatrate the flanks and the endless defending from the front from Porcaro & Yates gave the team a lift. Rhys-Jones perfectly hit a volley from the edge of the box that was well saved by the Sutton keeper, the resulting corner saw a goalmouth scramble that Sutton managed to stifle. Bitton had started to put Bishop Sutton under sustained pressure.

Bitton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Jack Rhys-Jones shaped up to take it. He curled the ball low and around the defending wall to place the ball firmly in the back of the Sutton net to put Bitton 2-0 up.

As expected Bishop Sutton pushed again to get back into the game, a penalty shout was waved away by the referee as Sutton attacked again and with 15 mintes remaining Bishop Sutton were given a lifeline. A needles free kick in the middle of the park allowed Bishop Sutton to pump the ball into the Bitton box and Sutton's player headed the ball over the stranded Sam Brown in goal. Nigel Jones's men were now looking for an equaliser, but it was the experience of the Bitton elder players that kept possession of the ball at every opportunity and ran the clock down to hear the whistle blow to bring an end to this roller coaster of a season.

The Full Time Result was Bitton 2 v 1 Bishop Sutton.

This final game of the under 18's season for Bitton perfectly summed up their season. Without an under 17 age group (last seasons u16), Bittons experienced under 18's were given the huge responsibility of supporting the current Under 16's boys as they started to gain their own experience of playing a higher level of football that was sharper and more physically demanding that they were used to week in, week out in the Avon Youth League.

Recognition must go to the older boys who not only fulfilled their obligation to assist the younger boys, but they also rewarded manager Ali Biggs and his backroom staff by keeping Bitton Under 18's in the Premier Division of the Somerset Floodlight League. As these boys now move on to continue their football at the highest level possible, whether it be Bitton Reserves or Bitton 1st Team, Ali can now take his team forward and start to plan Bittons challenge towards next seasons Premier Division title.