The BA boys returned to club HQ for another cup game against Firm Foundations. This time it was the President's Cup. It was the third time the teams had met, with both teams registering 1 win each.
There were a few changes to the BA side. Out went Bish, Tim (congratulations on the new arrival) and Yeast replaced by Robbie Blood, Deano and Dean Leow.
BA kicked off and immediately started to play some good football. The new 4-5-1 formation was working well with Whitey and Robbie seeing lots of the ball. For all their possession BA were mainly limited to long shots with Kingy, Spleen and Whitey all firing over or wide when well placed.
Despite dominating for long periods it was Firm Foundations who took the lead. A decent cross from the right found their full back free on the six yard box who smashed the ball home. The goal lifted Firm who raised their there game significantly to create 2 more chances that Trig and the defence did well to keep out.
However just before half time the Firm Foundations Captain was left unmarked in the box and he hammered it home to put Firm 2-0 up. The half time whistle blew and BA trudged off trying to work out how they were 2-0 down.
A good team talk followed and BA returned to the field for the second half with Karz and Kingy looking for a spirited response from the boys. In reality the 2nd half continued just like the 1st, with BA playing some good stuff, without ever looking really dangerous, and Firm playing on the break. It was clear that BA needed a goal to lift them and it duly arrived via the right boot of Whitey. BA kept the ball well on the left with Josh passing to Whitey and Whitey finding Robbie. A quick 1-2 followed and Whitey was in on goal, he shaped to cross but in the same movement cleverly put his foot around the ball and rolled it into the near corner. 2-1 and BA were back in the game.
The BA fans anticipated that BA would now go on and win the game. However just like last week the goal seemed to deflate the team and rather than going for the jugular, BA went for a small vein in the lower leg. A surprising and somewhat worrying reaction. Despite this chances did follow. Kingy felt he was fouled in the box, but nobody else did, including the referee. Whitey, Garlick and Dean Leow also went close. BA continued to attack, the downside being extra space was left for Firm on the counter attack, which they quickly made the most of. A BA attack broke down and unfortunately the ball fell to their fastest and most skilful player. A nutmeg on Gav, followed by a burst of pace that left Mick standing, saw him in on goal one on one, despite the calls of 'He has only got a right foot' he cleverly finished in the corner (with his left foot.) 3-1.
There was still time left for BA to get back in it, and get back in it they did. A free kick was awarded near the corner flag, BA sent all of the big guns up but Whitey ignored them and drilled the free kick in near post. From nowhere Kingy flung his left foot towards the ball in an overhead /scissors kick style. The connection was good and the Firm Foundations keeper barely moved as the ball whistled past him into the net. 3-2.
10 minutes to go and as BA pushed for a deserved equaliser they were done on the break again. This time a deflected shot looped over Trig and into the net. 4-2 and the game was gone.
Lessons need to be learned quickly if BA are to have a successful season. First of all, we need to make it count when we are on top. Simply put we need to convert our chances. Secondly we need to stop giving away poor goals. All 4 today could have been avoided.
On a positive note the work rate was excellent, passing was good and the attitude was first class. If we keep these traits going and improve defending and finishing we will reap the benefits.
