A revitalised BEC side were next up for an Affinity side in need of a confidence building performance. The early exchanges suggested that this would be a tight affair with both sides trying to play an open game using the width of the pitch to play down the flanks.
Affinity’s adventurous 3-5-2 formation saw the Large’s in wingback positions with the task of getting back as well as going up. The majority of the 1st half was epitomised by plenty of effort being demonstrated by both teams with neither side gaining an upper hand for anything more than a few minutes at a time. BEC broke the deadlock when an attempted intervention from Gilly that may have run through to Jake if he hadn't made contact but the minimal contact took some weight off the ball and fell into the path of the oncoming striker.
Affinity’s response was as usual encouraging and an equaliser followed shortly after and deservedly with a fine team move starting with a clearance out of defence by Steve G controlled by Chris in the centre circle who then played a ball into a gap which Andy managed to reach first with a lob that nestled perfectly into the corner of the net. It was the last kick of the half as the ref blew his whistle before the game could be restarted.
The second half was as open as the first and understandably as players from both sides started to tire small mistakes crept in.
BEC took the lead again by punishing Affinity on the break after a period of Affinity pressure they were caught on the break with the BEC striker getting to the ball quicker than a retreating Gilly and had enough on the shot to beat Jake to his left. To rub salt into Affinity’s wounds a 3rd BEC goal followed in similar fashion to their 2nd goal with a clearance leaving Alex against two strikers and having to make the unenviable decision about what point to leave the attacker he was marking to try and close down the striker moving in on goal. A fine shot across Alex and Jake into the corner gave BEC a two goal cushion and some breathing space.
Affinity, who had been on the front foot for most of the 2nd half continued to press with Jamie leading from the front and it would be he who brought Affinity back within a goal of BEC with a measured shot passed the keeper's left hand. With three minutes left the game could have petered out but there was still time for significant action at both ends.
BEC pushed forward and with a three against two advantage should have made Jake save a shot that didn't threaten the goal. Rather bizarrely a BEC player chose to throw a throw in directly over the dead ball line rather than attempting to keep control of it. From the resulting goal kick James controlled the ball in the middle and played a great ball to Wally on the right touch line by BEC's penalty area but his cross was unable to find an Affinity player.
BEC players response at the final whistle suggested a degree of relief that they had held on to their lead and the 3 points.
Man of the match goes to Jamie who inspired the Affinity comeback not only with his goal but leading by example and encouraging his team mates to continue to push to the end
