BA Boys Remain Top After Great Win.
BA met Northolt Rangers in a top of the table clash at Concorde Centre. Northolt had won every game this season including a last minute winner against BA in November. A tough game was on the cards.
The fine level of commitment continued and Dazza and Kingy had a squad of 15 to choose from. Mundy came in for the absent Gav Long and Tim Mooney returned at the expense of Deano as the Management team re-shuffled following last week's disappointing draw. Bish, Pidoux, Deano and Jez Mooney completed a very strong looking bench.
Following a huge downpour the BA pitch was looking a bit heavy and on this sort of pitch BA knew they would be in for a real battle. The game kicked off and almost immediately Northolt went on the attack and nearly took the lead, a through pass dissected the BA rear-guard and the Northolt forward ran through one-on-one, it looked easier to score but Trig did well and blocked the shot, the rebound fell to a Northolt player who ballooned the ball miles over. Early scare for BA.
It wasn't long before Northolt fashioned another chance, this time the same forward was denied by a brilliant save from Trig who pushed his shot onto the post and away.
BA were living dangerously but did have some chances themselves. Whitey had two decent opportunities following good passes from Stu and Tim. Tyler also went close with a long range effort. As the half went on BA began to assert their control on the game, Andy Garlick again was instrumental working hard to win the ball and then keeping possession. The standard from both teams was high and it was no surprise that when the ref blew for half time the scores were still level.
Confidence was high in the BA camp at half-time with only a few minor areas to work on. Talking around the pitch needed to be better as did the workrate across the front line.
Despite the positivity at half time, Northolt kicked off and went on the attack straight away. BA started slowly and were immediately on the back foot with Northolt creating a couple of half chances. After 48 minutes the deadlock was finally broken, Northolt scoring with a slightly fortunate effort that crashed of the crossbar to the feet of their right midfielder who couldn't miss.
Last season the game would have been as good as over, but BA are a different side these days. The goal had woken the team up and it was BA who began to increase the pressure. After 60 mins Kingy replaced hard working Tyler with Jez and the substitution bought immediate success with Jez being played through on goal, the linesman's flag went up but the ref was perfectly positioned and allowed BA to play on, Jez ran through and calmly finished into the bottom corner. 1-1 and BA were back in the game. Northolt protested for a full 5 minutes about the 'offside' BA retreated to their own half and waited for the kick off.
BA were now very much in the ascendancy, Kingy picked the ball up on the edge of the box and flicked it over a defenders head then volleyed towards goal however the ball hit Jez and was cleared. Jez then had another good chance that went just wide and Whitey had a decent shot well saved. After 68 minutes BA were to get some reward for their dominance. Whitey's cross from the left was virtually caught by the Northolt centre half in the middle of the area and Richard Ref QPR correctly awarded the penalty for handball. Up stepped super sub Jez 'Ole Gunar' Mooney who dispatched the with consummate ease. 2-1 and BA were heading to victory.
After 70 minutes Kingy should have wrapped the game up when he broke through, the ball sat up perfectly but he could keep his shot down and it flew over the bar.
BA continued to do the right thing, slowing the game down when needed and keeping hold of possession. Northolt were out of their feet and BA nearly wrapped up the game following a great ball from Jez that just evaded the sliding Kingy.
With 5 minutes to go Northolt nearly got back into the game when their centre forward shot against the post but BA held strong. In the final few minutes Northolt were given 2 free kicks in dangerous positions but the BA rear-guard, superbly led by Mundy, defended them both solidly and the ref blew up as Mundy launched the ball clear.
In summary a fantastic performance from the BA boys, probably the best since Dazza and Kingy took over, has left BA in a great position to win the league. Others have games in hand but BA have the points in the bag. With two games against Uxbridge 69ers to come BA have a great chance.
Great effort lads.
