1st Team Stumble Again

BMAFC 1st Team came unglued once again last weekend, losing 3-2 to Bay Olympic at Te Puru.

A much needed, stern pre-game talk about what it means to be a team produced more heat than light for the home side who came out firing, but the intensity lasted a mere 10 minutes, a period during which right back James Gibbs scored to give the early advantage to Beachlands Maraetai.

Perhaps it was that early goal and memory of their 3-0 victory over Bay Olympic in Game 1 this year, combined with the observation that Bay had used up their two available substitutions after just 20 minutes that led to their easing off the throttle. Soon after, Beachlands gave away a cheap goal and offered Bay Olympic momentum heading into the back end of the first half. Beachlands slowed to a rudderless grind that has characterised vast patches of their recent performances, and lurched their way through the remainder of the first half like a bloated sea slug.

If Beachlands had buttoned-off, Bay Olympic most certainly pepped up and early in the second half after yet another defensive blunder from BMAFC saw the home team on the back foot again. Stand-in keeper Adam Matthews floundered amidst a mix-up in communication and a bouncing ball found the back of the net. Mid way through the second period and the rot appeared set as BMAFC conceded yet another soft goal and looked in danger of completely self-destructing. Disaster struck as a defensive maneuver from Beachlands was directed straight back into the red-zone and the waiting Bay Olympic strikers were there to pounce.

3-1 down and with their backs against the wall, Beachlands rallied and with time on their side to make amends. The turning point came when a Bay Olympic defender handled the ball inside his goal box leaving the referee with no option but to signal a penalty. Captain Ant Schomaker slotted the spot kick and delivered Beachlands the hope they needed to reignite their campaign.

The final 20 minutes of the match saw Beachlands ascend in possession and territory and once more they looked the more threatening team. In a frenzied finish the the game Beachlands countered with speed and numerous shots peppered the Bay Olympic goal - sadly for the locals they seemed destined to either shudder off the goal posts or slip past only inches off target.

Amongst the mêlée and with only a few minutes remaining Bay Olympic came close to capitalising once more on poor ball security from Beachlands in their own defensive third. Only last-gasp covering defense saved Beachlands from further embarrassment and a crippling fourth goal.

Having survived that, Beachlands broke for the other end of the field and an incisive cross found the Beachlands strikers in possession on the edge of the Bay Olympic goal box. Their last gasp effort at rescuing a draw was thwarted by a lazy Bay defender flapping at the ball whilst on the ground - an illegal tactic that went unpunished - the referee presumably offering an advantage to BMAFC, who could only muster a meek shot which would not have troubled even England's hapless goal keeper Robert Green.

Beachlands have now slipped to third and are quickly sliding out of reach of the on the competition leaders.