A confident BA Sunday arrived at a sunny Birkbeck College with the thoughts of last week's win still fresh in the mind.
For the first time for as long as anyone can remember BA had 15 players to choose from, but picking the team was made less difficult after the boys performance last week. However there were two enforced changes to the starting eleven with Lemsip and Whitey replacing Robbie and Chris.
The plan for BA was to build on last week's win, keep the ball, work hard and pass with quality.
As the game kicked off Barnhill started well, they were quicker to the ball, passed with quality and looked lively throughout. BA most certainly did not. Barnhill's good start was rewarded inside 10 minutes when a mix up inside BA penalty area left their striker with a tap in from 6 yards and he made no mistake. BA looked for a reaction, but there was nothing, another quick break left their centre forward in on goal with Mooney tracking back for his life, unfortunately for BA, Mooney's challenge was poorly timed and the ref pointed to the spot. No mistake from Barhill's Le Tissier and BA were staring at a 2-0 reverse. Barnhill's players walked back to their half thinking the game was dead.
All of a sudden from nowhere, the noise levels in the BA side were lifted, players began to look for the ball and BA started to play well, move after move ensued with the ball switching left to right from Josh to Mooney via Bish, Stu and Whitey. Things were looking up, Barhill looked surprised. A clearance from the Barnhill keeper was won well in the air by Bish and Kingy was in one on one, he shot but the keeper saved well, fortunately the ball arrived back to Kingy, keeper no-where to be seen, he shot again and but the Barnhill defender managed to dive block the shot with his hand on the line. Kingy should have scored but the chance was not gone. PENALTY. Up stepped Whitey and BA were back in the game.
Buoyed by the goal BA went to town. Within 5 minutes Kingy and Mooney linked up well and Mooney ran into the box and finished in great style. BA were back level.
With defence holding up well, and the midfield and forwards linking well, BA looked like a side on a mission. Chance after chance came and went, Josh Crossed from the right, Kingy controlled with his right and volleyed with left but the keeper saved well. Whitey Curled a right footer just over the bar and the third goal seemed a formality. However the ref blew for half time. Overall a poor 20 minutes followed by 25 minutes of BA pressure. Good half.
Half time came at a bad time for BA, as they were dominating possession and looked dangerous. Team talk concentrated on keeping the boys playing as they were, but take our chances and put the game to bed inside the first 15 minutes.
The team talk had the desired effect and BA continued where they had left off. Good flowing moves developed from defence, through midfield to the forwards and more chances followed. Karzee was having particular joy on the right hand side with a couple of good crosses which were not converted by the forwards. This was soon to change after great link up play between Karzee and Whitey, Phil the forgotten man of last week jinked inside his man and finished at the near post with aplomb. BA deservedly had the lead.
Barnhill rarely threatened but when they did Gav and Mick marshalled their forwards with consummate ease. Bish then broke through one on one and ran in on goal, leading scorer Kingy screamed for the ball on the inside and Bish unselfishly squared it to leave the big striker with an open goal. He doesn't miss from there!! 4-2 to BA.
Barnhill were dead and buried but BA did not take their foot from the accelerator, corner after corner followed, BA hit the post, and should have had another penalty given. Fortunately the BA fans did not have to wait long for the next goal, a Beckham like cross from Karzee was met with a bullet header from Dean Leow and the Barnhill keeper could only watch with envy as it smashed into the net. 5-2 and goodnight Vienna.
The game being over led to BA sitting back a little and almost immediately they were punished. The Barnhill forward turned and finished superbly giving Lemsip no chance. 5-3 and BA looked a little twitchy with 10 minutes to go.
5-3 up with 10 minutes to go last season would have meant most of the BA boys settling for a draw, but with the newly found confidence it only inspired BA to go on the attack once more. Karzee found Mooney who in turn found Kingy. Kingy cut inside and squared it to Whitey who quickly found Bish on the edge of the box. Bish then struck a back pass of a shot that fortunately cannoned off of the sole of the Barnhill centre half. The keeper went one way, the ball the other and BA were celebrating. 6-3 and a good quality performance. BA up to 3rd in the table after 2 wins in 3 games.
