1st Team Undone By League Leaders

After their bye on Saturday, a refreshed BMAFC 1st Team travelled to Seddon Park on Queens Birthday Monday to take on another unbeaten side in Western Springs Geezers. Boasting the best attacking record in the league, Western Springs posed the biggest threat yet to Beachlands' momentum in Division 1.

Just 3 minutes into the match BMAFC were forced into an early substitution after a messy goal mouth scramble led to an accidental collision with keeper Adam Kelway and a Springs striker. Kelway's damaged knee proved too painful to continue. Almost immediately, BMAFC's complete lack of organisation and communication presented Springs with their second opportunity of the match, which they did not miss. And striking while the iron was hot, the home side nailed a second goal moments later, taking full advantage of BMAFC's shell shock.

With the game not yet 15 minutes old, it looked likely to be a long day at the office for Beachlands. However stability descended over the visiting side and the match settled into a classic arm-wrestle for possession. Playing into a blinding afternoon sun in the opening half, BMAFC struggled to gain the necessary ascendancy to restore parity, although a magnificent long-range shot from right back Matt Henney gave Beachlands the belief they needed to fight back.

2-1 behind at the split, BMAFC felt the game was there to be had - the horrors of the opening quarter put to rest. BMAFC began the second half with intent, and when a free kick was awarded within striking distance, captain Ant Schomaker had the ball on a string as his delivery found Brian Preston in the opposition goal box, and the leveller was secured. Once again the match ebbed and flowed for either side and in their haste, both teams' attacking raids were less than clinical.

Time was running out and both sides were tiring... with just 10 minutes left on the clock Springs produced another double-hit following two elementary defensive blunders - squandered possession and thinly placed defence gifted Springs the match 4-2. While a draw seemed almost certain and would have been acceptable to all, Beachlands paid a heavy price for their lapses in concentration.

BMAFC has two home games in the coming weeks versus Three Kings and then their return match against Bay Olympic on the 19th of June.