Reserves Beaten by Three Kings - Again

Monday, 20 June 2011 13:28

It was off to Keith Hay Park again against a second placed Three Kings Dunas team. In the first round clash a final 10 minute capitulation had seen the Three Kings team walk away with an easy 5-0 victory at Te Puru and the lads were keen to return the favor on the away fixture.

The BMAFC Senior reserves were without key play makers and their only centre midfield players Ross Murphy and Mark Laidlaw. However the unenviable task of filling their boots was left to Paul Startin who's graft this year had been fantastic and attitude towards shifting out of a striking role had been outstanding. He was to be supported by a make shift midfield of Brent Cooper and Kurt McDonald. The balance of the team was to remain as per previous weeks.

The initial pace of the game was furious, and it didn't let up fro the full 90 mins. Three Kings midfield were playing some very good 1-2 touch passing that the make shift BMAFC midfield were having trouble closing down. The ongoing pressure down the BMAFC flanks resulted in conceding the first goal where a ball was angled back across the top of the 18 yard box, which was unfortunately toed straight to the Three Kings centre midfielder by Justin Irvine and squeezed under player of the day, Keeper James Gibbs. This was one of a number of defensive mistakes by the book end centre back in the first half, luckily however none caused further harm on the scoreboard. The 2nd goal from Three Kings was a well finished shot after some strong play out from their back 4, who did not have to deal with any sustained pressure during the first half. At times the graft and passing play of Paul Startin, Brent Cooper, and Tim Alderdice released Woody and Reid into the attacking third of the pitch, but it was the last pass that seemed to go missing.

The 2nd half was a much tighter affair, with both sides pressing hard at the opposition. James Gibbs phenomenal game in goal keep the away side within striking distance with some brilliant work and his energy seemed to lift the BMAFC side in the last 20 mins. Once again, the fitness came through and it was pleasing to see movement off the ball and players making themselves available such as Paul Llewelyn on the right that started to look like a comeback was on the cards. However, as in the first half, the last pass was the one that got away, with a number of wayward shots on goal being the result. The game ended 2-0 to Three Kings.

Focus now needs to head to a match up that all of the team have been looking forward to since their round three match up – Clevedon. This weeks 2.45pm away game is certainly where the big centre back is looking to put some demons to bed, and looking forward to key players coming back to sure up the strong squad available.

By Justin Irvine

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