BA Sunday, with their 100% record met Premier Sports, who had lost their only game, at Concorde centre. BA were confident of keeping up their record despite losing Trigger, Robbie Blood and Russ Mundy from last week's eleven. Fortunately at the moment BA have a decent squad and Mick Howes, Jezzer and Yeast were more than capable replacements.
The game kicked off in bright sunshine on a slightly slippery surface with both teams struggled to find any consistency in possession. The most productive passing move in the first 30 mins lasted about 6 passes and resulted in a decent effort from Stu Trigwell that flew wide.
Despite not having a recognised keeper in goal, BA remained calm at the back and kept Premier away from their goal. The half was passing most of the players by until a long ball through the BA defence found the Premier centre forward who ran through and slotted past Yeast in the BA goal. There was more than a suspicision of offside, but the goal stood and BA found themselves behind. There was little time for any action before half time, other than BA losing leading scorer King to a hamstring injury to be replaced by Gav Long.
Half time team talk was constructive and all of the team knew that had to improve. Premier Sports were by far the weakest team BA had played so far and despite the scoreline, only a win would be satisfactory.
BA did start the better of the two teams. Dazza had moved up front with Long slotting in alongside Mick at centre half. The Mooney brothers were seeing a lot more of the ball and were looking dangerous with only the final ball missing. That was until Jez broke down the left evading a couple of challenges before generously squaring the ball to dazza to tap in. 1-1 and a great goal.
BA were now on the up. Tim went on a 50 yard run beating three players along the way, just as he was about to pass he was tackled, but BA had signalled their intent.
Jez again marauding down the left went through one on one only to be denied by a great last ditch tackle. With the game approaching the last quarter, Jez and Darren went into a challenge with the Premier keeper who somehow missed the ball and allowed Jez to smash the ball into an empty net. BA were 2-1 and the game was won. Or so they thought.
With nothing to loose Premier pushed their centre half up front and played 4-3-3 and began to hoof the ball up front. This tactic was creating little problem for the defence and the boys remained confident. However one diagonal pass caught out Paul at left back and the lanky centre half got in behind and was in one on one. Yeast closed the angle well and managed to take most of the power from the shot, unfortunately though the ball had enough spin to bounce into the net. Premier were level.
Sensing the 100% record coming to an end and with only 5 mins to go. BA went on the hunt for a winner. There had to be one more chance, and sure enough there was. Dazza was played in on goal and only had the keeper to beat, the Premier defence had given up and stopped sensing a certain goal, Dazza if anything had too much time to pick his spot but unfortunately shot wide.
The ref quickly blew his whistle and a draw was the result. The positives for BA were that they have remained unbeaten and also all of the team were dissappointed with the draw. Negatives were that BA really should have won the game.
Onto the cup on Sunday against a decent side. BA will have to be at their best to get a result.
