Bitton overcame a stubborn Almondsbury to advance to the next round of the Les Phillips cup thanks to goals from Dean Griffiths, Tom Knighton & Matt Tovey

Bitton could not have got off to a better start and opened the scoring on 5 minutes. Reeko Best won a free kick on the left wing and a pin point Josh Egan delivery found an unmarked Dean Griffiths who headed home. Unfortunately Almondsbury took less that 2 minutes to reply as some sloppy work by Jordan Walker was punished by a slick passing move finished off by their captain Harry Greenbury. The young home side were working very hard to not give Bitton any space and were looking dangerous on the break particularly through their pacy left winger Alex Bisp who was giving Egan lots to think about. Knighton did well to get on the end of a Best knock down but after shrugging off the defender his shot went inches wide. Best and Mcclennan then both broke free down the left but neither could find a finish. Bitton keeper Ben John then did well to hold a powerful Keelan Mastouras drive and Jordan Walker made two crucial tackles on Danny Lane as he looked to be away. Bitton then had a period of 10 minutes when they pinned Almondsbury back and starting to attack the home sides full backs. After a few missed chances McClennan then took on the full back again before delivering an inch perfect cross for Knighton to climb highest and nod home to give Bitton the lead again.

HT-Almondsbury 1-2 Bitton

Bitton knew they would have to improve on their first half display but it was Almondsbury who came flying out the blocks and they drew level on 55 minutes when the impressive Bisp cut in from the left past several challenges and curled an effort into the far corner. The game became fairly scrappy in the second period for large periods with Bitton creating more of the chances but Almondsbury always looking a threat.
Reeko Best did well to cut in from the left but saw the ball bobble and his shot went way over the bar. McClennan was next to try his luck from a free kick but his well struck shot smashed against the cross bar and rebounded to safety. Tovey and Knighton both had chances saved before Griffiths made ground down the right and his cut back found Knighton but unfortunately his shot was straight at the keeper.
Luke Bryan came on for the final 10 minutes after returning to the club in the week and nearly made an immediate impact as he chested a cross down before volleying over when perhaps a header would have been a better option.
A long free kick saw the Almondsbury keeper fumble the ball but Bryan could not direct his finish towards goal and his swiveled shot hit the side netting. Bitton found what proved to be a winning goal on 83 minutes as a cross from Best was met by the on rushing Matt Tovey who took a touch and skipped past the defender before smashing home off the underside of the bar. Bryan then took on three players down the left wing as he looked to seal the game but could quite find a finish and the Ton managed to hold on.

Bitton managed to secure the win and Almondsbury will perhaps feel a bit hard down by that they didn't manage to at least force extra time. The two sides will meet again Next Tuesday in the GFA cup.

FT-Almondsbury 2-3 Bitton

Star Man-Matt Tovey

Bitton are next in action on Saturday 25th November when they travel to Shepton Mallett

Match Preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Team Sponsors