Resounding 5-0 Win for 1st Team

BMAFC 1st Team comfortably beat a young and capable Onehunga side 5-0 at Seaside Park on Saturday.

This match was originally scheduled for Round 3, but was postponed due to BMAFC's entry into the Chatham Cup in April, and since all other Division 1 football was cancelled this weekend both sides took the opportunity to make it up.

Beachlands went into the match not knowing what to expect from a side that sat mid-table after 2 wins, a draw and 2 losses and with a high strike rate (13 goals scored) but who had conceded even more (15). The Otahuhu team looked youthful but well organised - their short passing warm-up drill was taken onto the field and they managed to control much of the opening exchanges. As BMAFC were a little slow to start, Otahuhu's passing game was crisp and well controlled and found all the right angles on attack as they found them selves with a number of scoring opportunities early on. Luckily none of the shots found the mark, and too many of their shots were taken from 20+ yards out and off-target.

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However, when Otahuhu's passing game broke down, BMAFC capitalised with lightening-quick speed. On the short pitch, the more physically imposing Beachlands side found easy passage downfield as Ant Schomaker opened the scoring, around 24 hours after returning home from a two-week holiday in Thailand.

Center back Brian Preston was next to score - his second of the season from an attacking corner. And Bryce Henney scored before half time from another break in play which put the visitor's on the counter-attack again.

The call at half time from manager Henri Habraken was to "just keep going" while being mindful of Otahuhu's undoubted playing abilities, despite the 3-0 lead. The home side kept pushing until the final whistle and employed some intelligent tactics along the way. It was not their day however, as determined defence and more wayward shots foiled undermined their previously impressive strike record.

Remarkably, BMAFC goal keeper Adam Kelway notched up his first goal of the season too - his goal kick sailed slightly over midfield to be shielded by striker Bryce Henney who, without touching the ball, turned the defending Otahuhu goal keeper and followed the ball the remaining 20 yards into the net!

Bryce rounded out the day's scoring with a hard fought shot at goal - a follow up to a saved first attempt, and BMAFC outlasted a sustained period of pressure and a few close calls from Otahuhu to claim a comfortable 5-0 victory.