1st Team: 3-0 Maiden Victory

Sunday, 11 April 2010 09:07

Six month's of planning and preparation for the inaugural BMAFC 1st Team has culminated in a commanding 3-0 victory for over Bay Olympic at Crum Park, Green Bay, on Saturday.

Club president Brian Preston and life member Henri Habraken have worked tirelessly over the off-season to combine the best of youth and experience, which made up the 'Rangers' and the 'Warriors' teams playing in AFF's Division 5 last season. The foundations for the new 1st Team squad were laid last year when the two teams combined for the Counties Manukau Knock-out Cup, and in a distinguished run of form saw them play in the semi final where they were beaten by eventual competition winners Papatoetoe AFC Reserves.

The success of the Cup campaign convinced Brian that the timing was right for BMAFC to push for higher levels of competition. Having come through a tough series of pre-season trial matches against well-qualified opposition, the BMAFC 1st Team squad is now finalised, and are competing in AFF's Division 1. With a senior reserve team playing in Division 7, the senior arm of BMAFC has come of age in 2010.

Game One of the new season saw BMAFC overcome a very challenging pitch, April midday heat and a sluggish opposition to earn a 2-0 half time lead. Goals came through inspirational captain Anthony Schomaker, and right-fullback James Gibbs. Schomaker scored after 15 minutes of play as he beat the Bay Olympic goal keeper to a ball played into space, then hit the back of the net from a near impossible angle at the by-line. James Gibbs cleaned up the scraps from an attacking corner midway through the first half.

Sluggish they may have been, but Bay Olympic were not without their chances early on. Moments of lapsed concentration nearly cost BMAFC as Bay's right side attack found space, only to be denied by a combination of poor shooting and a man of the match performance by Beachlands goal keeper Adam Kelway. Beachlands were unlucky to extend their lead in the first half as a handful of golden opportunities missed the mark, while a long-range rocket from midfielder Johnny Rist skimmed over the crossbar.

BMAFC managed just one more goal in the second half despite further dominance. However if you prefer quality rather than quantity, Schomaker's 20-yard volley would make any football fan stand and cheer - the shear velocity and placement gave the Bay Olympic keeper no hope of a save.

Meanwhile at Riverhills Park the Senior Reserve side let their lead slip late in the match to record a 1-all draw against Fensibles. Player of the day was Shane Gardner.