Slice of Redemption for 1st Team

BMAFC 1st Team travelled away to last years Div 1 Champions Western Springs and with the rain well in truly finished for the week conditions were perfect for fast flowing football, the pitch was wider than most and the playing surface was exceptional considering the weather we had earlier in the week.

BMAFC started the with real purpose and moved the ball around quickly not giving Western Springs much possession at all, Ant Schomaker is relishing the wide left midfield role giving him the freedom to unleash his pace and dazzling skills, he was rewarded 20 minutes into the game as the Springs defender had had enough of being beaten an crudely tackled Ants from behind just inside the 18yard box which left the referee no option but to point to the spot, there was a fierce protest form the Springs defender that it was outside area hence probably the reason why he did not get a yellow card, Ants still trying to get his composure uncharacteristically didn't get a clean strike on the ball giving the keeper time to fling a arm in the way. Once again this didn't deter the lads they kept the pace as lively as they could, Brian Preston Glanced a corner just wide, Ben Taylor was hungry as ever as he combined with Sean (Happy Feet) Langford working some great 1 touch movements down the right flank, management and supporters thought Ant Schomaker had earned another penalty which was more obvious than the first, the referee under observation from an assessor waved play on much to the disgust from the travelling supporters, Springs only had 1 real threat when Ben Mallinson slipped which let the striker through but could not put it away as keeper Adam Mathews was quick to react saving his 1st effort and then parrying the 2nd attempt away before he pounced like cat to retrieve the loose ball.

The 1st half finished 0-0 but the lads new the goals would come as the football they were playing was close to their best this season yet, the goals did follow 10 minutes into the 2nd half just after the Western Springs had a great effort sail just over the cross bar, Chris Wood took over corner kicking duties and duly delivered a pin point corner for Brian Preston to rise and power into the top corner, his first for the season.

His second following not long after as springs cleared another corner, only for the outstanding right back Shane Dalton to put a teasing cross back into the danger area to which the Springs defender could only flick into the path of Brian Preston to side foot home from 10 yards, Brian ecstatic at getting his 2nd goal for the season was booked for his celebrations in the process. This seemed to wake Springs or did BMAFC just start to get complacent, Springs dominated possession for the next 20 minutes forcing Adam Mathews into some 1st Class saves, Adam collected one ball and feed it quickly down the right flank which Captain Ants picked up and carried, beat his man and with the Tireless Matt Henney screaming for the ball to slot home, Ants looked up and saw the keeper had left his near post wide open anticipating a pass, Ants duly slotted home calmly, 3 nil and 3 points in the bag. The lads were ecstatic after the game as we lost twice to this side last season, victory and redemption is sweet!

This was probably the 1st Teams most complete performance this season; the travelling supporters were well entertained, the whole squad played exceptionally well, and with a glut of central midfielders this season a special mention must go to players Phil Cook, who is now playing a sweeper role to perfection, his ability to read the game is outstanding, Shane (Dolly the Sheep) Dalton has slotted into Right back and is commanding in the way he defends and his ability to play forward is exceptional, Seany (Happy Feet) Langford is only just back from an epic 6 week tour of UK played at Right midfield and ran himself into the ground.

With out these kind of players doing the team a favour and playing out of position, I don't think we would be getting the results we are now starting to see, this just shows the team spirit and the willingness to work for each other, essential for any team to succeed!

By Brian Preston