1st Team Bury Demons v Suburbs

BMAFC 1st Team thumped Eastern Suburbs Cervin 8-0 in appalling conditions at Pt England Reserve on Saturday.

The stunning victory served as atonement for a first round 2-2 draw with lowly Cervin, which had heralded Beachlands' mid-season form slump. Presenting the same starting line-up as the previous two big victories against Otahuhu and Fencibles, Beachlands were on the front foot from the opening minute. Suburbs' kick-off strayed into the path of Beachlands' midfield who quickly dispatched the ball wide-right to winger Jonny Rist. Rist was one-on-one with Suburbs keeper and the resulting deflection fell to striker Ant Schomaker's feet. An easy strike into an open net put the visiting side 1-nil ahead.

The rain and bitter wind was well set in and had forced the match to be transferred at the 11th hour from Madills Farm in Mission Bay to the Pt England ground. The pitch markings were barely visible at best and the mud proved very slippery through the middle of the track. More disruption followed for BMAFC when an unwell James Gibbs vacated the right back position with the match just 5 minutes old. However the disruptions and trying conditions failed to put a dampener on Beachlands' footballing ability. After an brief settling in period the short passes began to flow and set up well controlled attacking raids. On defense Beachlands scrambled well when required and stand-in keeper Kevin Walker continued his fine form for the 1st Team in goal. Kevin's ability to read the play proved important on occasion, particularly in the first half.

Beachlands scored twice more in the opening half through Matt Henney and Jonny Rist to take a 3-0 lead to half time. The motivation from here was to remember the unravelling of their earlier match against Cervin and ensure this match remained in Beachlands' control for the full 90 minutes. Suburbs offered a rally of sorts in the opening exchanges of the second half but failed to translate that pressure into goals. Beachlands defense remained resolute and the counter attack resourceful.

It took the visiting side 20 minutes to break Suburbs down and net their forth goal through Bryce Henney.

And the the floodgates opened.

Beachlands' 8 goals were spread across 7 players - after Ant Schomaker scored his double the goals were well distributed through Beachlands' midfield players as vice captain Sean Langford and opened his scoring account for the year and Shane Dalton bagged his second of the season. Phil Cook also scored his first for the 1st Team.

Recent big wins and favourable results have catapulted Beachlands to clear second place on the Championship ladder. League leaders Western Springs drew 2-2 v Fencibles (who Beachlands thrashed 6-1 last week) and close rivals High School Old Boys have now suffered back-to-back losses. Next weekend sees BMAFC have their bye round in Championship play, but face South Auckland Rangers in their Counties Manukau Cup match on Sunday at Te Puru, before getting the chance to make a loud statement against the high flying Western Springs who are yet to record a loss this year. A win against Springs would offer a victory for Beachlands' pride however the Division 1 Championship win is now out of reach.