Match Report - 11th November 2007

This was a really enjoyable, entertaining game to watch. The Bs dominated the play and had by far the most and best chances but for long periods they were frustrated by Bessingby who defended with great determination and were backed up by an excellent keeper who was athletic, very quick off his line and who produced some excellent reflex and brave saves. The Bs domination was emphasised by the fact that they won fifteen corners to Bessingby’s nil. The corners, taken by George, Kyle and Jordan, were superb. Delivered high into the six yard box they caused problems for the home team each time and, with better timing and a little luck, the Bs should have had six goals from corners.

The Bs took charge from the start and they moved the ball around well. In the first half, though, they lacked the final good pass to turn a move into a clear cut chance. Most of the good build ups ended in corners where their main threat came from. But they did have shots though most were speculative and didn’t test the keeper sufficiently. Sid, George and Luis had shots on goal this half. Luis came within a whisker of the opener when Sid flicked on a corner at the near post and Luis came charging in, met the ball cleanly but the keeper produced a superb reflex save to deflect it for another corner. During the half the Bs were forced into a change when Kyle hurt his foot, Jordan took his place on the right.

There were too many passes down the middle and though Sid and Conor caused the defenders some problems racing onto them, the defence managed to deal with these clearing to safety. Bessingby had more of the play as the half progressed and had two good chances to take the lead. They had a free kick on the edge of the area in a dangerous central position but their shot went just wide. Shortly after they were allowed the space to cross from the left corner of the area and one of their players, making a good late run, suddenly found himself clean through. But Stephen was equal to it diving low to make a great save.

After the break the Bs play improved further. The back four looked very good dealing well with any breaks and moving the ball forward to the midfield players. Jay and Francis had their best games of the season. They both competed with great determination, tackled well and used the ball positively. Towards the end of the match Jay made himself shooting chances and his powerful strikes went very close and he deserved a goal.

What the Bs needed was a breakthrough and they got it in the 38th minute with a slice of good fortune. The Bs were awarded a free kick just outside the box, George and Luis discussed it, Luis took it and his powerful, goal bound shot took a deflection which left the keeper stranded. From there the Bs pushed on looking for a second and Sid, who always looks lethal when advancing on goal, had a number of chances that went very close. With one he beat the keeper but steered his shot inches over.

Ten minutes later and Bessingby got themselves back into the game with a goal out of nothing. A break down the right saw a high ball played into the box. As Jordan went to head it clear he appeared to be pushed off the ball but play continued and Bessingby reacted quickest and stabbed it home. The Bs made two changes. Kyle came back on in place of Jordan and Fed replaced Conor up front. Although the Bs continued to play with more control and created better chances the game was on a knife edge as it looked as though the chances would go begging. But Kyle’s return made the midfield more competitive and Fed’s pace started to create some openings.

In the 57th minute Fed finished a great move and the Bs were back in front. Jay sent a superb cross field pass which Sid won, took inside behind his defender and then sent a delicate chip over the keeper where Fed was waiting to jump and head home. Three minutes later and it was all over with Luis scoring his second. Not bad from a right back! The move involved Ciaran, who again was talking a really good game encouraging and informing his team mates. He got forward and a low ball was sent across the six yard box and was missed by everyone. But Luis arrived late on the far side and finished with a great, low, unstoppable shot. After this Josh came on at left back in place of George, Ciaran moved up to left midfield. Josh was soon in action and he defended very well and also linked up well with the midfield.

The win was a relief as it would have been disappointing not to turn the performance into the result it deserved. Every player played their part and made a good contribution and it was good to see so many good entertaining moves. Credit to both teams for producing such a good game. Jay just edged it to win the man of the match when there were many others who also deserved it. But he defended and used the ball and attacked really well.