Match Report - 28th October 2007

What a game, what a performance and what a fabulous result for the Bs. This was their first ever cup win but what made everyone, players and supporters, so pleased was the quality of the football. There was real determination and battling which was necessary to keep Hendon at bay. But there was also real quality to the passing and movement which enabled them to create such good opportunities. And of course, there was some excellent finishing from the strikers, Brett and Sid which sealed the win. This was Brett’s first match of the season and he took the opportunities set up for him superbly.

A win for the Bs looked unlikely when Hendon opened the scoring with their first attack. When the Bs failed to clear a high ball into the box, Hendon pounced and lobbed the ball over Stephen into the net. But instead of reeling, the Bs dug in and defended well at the back and across the midfield. They also used the ball very well. Both full backs, Luis and Ciaran, showed superb touch and control and great passing to set the strikers and midfield players away. Nicholas and Brett had early opportunities. Brett raced clear on a couple of occasions but the defenders got back to deny him. On the 18th minute he was sent clear again with an excellent through ball. He took the ball into the area and curled it sweetly into the far corner. The Bs made a substitution swapping Nicholas, who was struggling with an injury, for Jordan Coleman.

Hendon forced more corners and came close with some good shots. One forced Stephen into a very good diving save and another fierce shot spun from his hands and hit the bar. But the Bs turned the game with three goals in a four minute spell. The first, on 28 minutes, was typically unpredictable from Brett. George sent Brett through on goal with a great pass. Brett looked to have a simple opportunity to pass the ball into the net but instead he took the ball to the keeper, turned 360º and then chipped the ball over the keeper. A minute later and Sid latched onto another neat ball played behind the defence from the midfield. He took the ball on and calmly shot past the keeper into the far corner. Then on 32 minutes Brett finished a good move to make it 4-1. Francis found Jordan on the right who sent it down the line to Sid. His cross was fumbled by the keeper and Brett was on hand to tap it home.

But Hendon finished the half as they started it, with a goal. For them it was really well taken, for the Bs it was a bit of a defensive nightmare. One of their players picked up the ball more than 40 yards out wide on the left. He was well covered but evaded all challenges and wormed his way through the midfield and then right through the centre of the Bs defence when he gave Stephen no chance with a fine shot. So this eventful half ended with the Bs 4-2 ahead.

At half time it was good to hear that the players recognised the match was far from won and that Hendon would push the Bs much harder in the second half. But the Bs aim to keep them at bay for the first ten minutes was undone when Hendon, yet again, scored in the first minute. From a quick attack down the right their cross struck Thomas on the arm as he tried to clear the danger. The referee awarded a penalty which they placed accurately into the right corner of the net. So from 1-4 down Hendon had got it back to 3-4 and mentally had the upper hand. But the Bs continued to work very hard to deny them. Both Jay and Francis in the centre worked really hard winning the ball and using it well. It was important for the Bs to get the next goal and on 45 minutes Sid did just that. This time it was Brett who put him through with a cross field pass and Sid closed in on goal and then tucked it home.

Just five minutes later and Hendon closed the lead again. This time it was a good attack and cross from the left and as Ciaran raced back he was unable to close down their attacker who finished first time. It was quite end to end now and three minutes later Brett was sent through again, this time by Jay’s pass, and Brett took the ball and finished confidently.

The Bs then made a couple of changes. Brett, who was suffering from blisters, was replaced by Fed and Francis came off for Nicholas. He went up front and Sid dropped into midfield. Fed’s pace caused Hendon’s defence problems and he found himself through on goal a few times but he was unable to finish. Nicholas looked to have added a seventh with a good move that saw Fed tuck the ball through to Nick who beat the keeper with a low shot. But as the Bs celebrated the referee had spotted an offside and the goal was ruled out. Hendon also still had chances. One saw one of their players make an unstoppable run down the right but his shot went wide. Jordan Wright came on for Jordan Coleman on the right and Brett made a return in place of Nick.

The Bs were still pushing forward when the whistle went. All the players can be very proud of their efforts and the football they produced which was good to watch. Brett’s four goals made him man of the match but it was a close run thing as the whole team did enough to merit it.