No matter how long this team stays together, todays result and performance will live long in the memory. Its fair to that prior to the game Trix were comfortably walking there way to a league title in a debut season which has seen them win 10 out of the first 11 games, along with a draw in the other. What they walked away with at approximatly 12.15 was their unbeaten run ended, and a title race thrown wide open thanks to a superb beacy arms win.
Manager gunnell had named a number of changes for this clash, Ebberson and Carpenter both missing the game due to holiday and work commitments, Greeband Summers missing out on this occasion, Shaun coker making his first appearance in goal, with returns for Ryan coker, Javi rodriguez and mike o'connor. A slight change in shape saw us line up in a 4-5-1 formation with Dave roberts dropping into a right back postion with a midfield five of Rodgriguez, davies, piercey, o'connor & Douglas. The early stages saw a midfield battle with very little in the way of chances, our back four in particular looking really solid and nulifying the oppositions attacking threat. With 18 minutes gone the ball fell to roberts down the right hand touchline, he crossed the ball 40 yards towards the path of O'connor, who after battling with the defender found himself in space 20 yards from goal at an angle, with no hesitation he sent a curling shot into the roof of the net, a superb finish and reward for beacy's decent start 1-0. Trix were struggling to impose themselves on the game, and looked far from a top of the table side, they did force a few corners however these were well dealt with by both Shaun coker and the defence. On half an hour we were largely in control and following a number of corners and free kicks, we appeared to have got our second goal, a cross found its way to the back post where Ryan coker headed accross the goal and captain Gunnell slid the ball home from close range, this was disallowed following a linesmans flag(however this turned out to be a piece of blatent cheating, something later confirmed by one of the opposition players). Justice was done on 41 minutes when the lively O'connor won the ball on the left byline and despite being on the end of a heavy challenge sent in a cross which found its way to the back post and was slammed home by davies for his 10th of the season 2-0. The half time whistle went shortly after, with the message from the manager and players a like that the game was far from over.
As expected Trix came out for the second half with a rocket up the backside, and began well forcing a couple of early free kicks and corners which came to nothing. In truth there were very few clear cut chances for either side in the early stages of the second half, the away side were becoming more desperate and having failed to cut open our defence were no resulting to pot shots from 25 yards out. With 70 odd minutes gone the manager made a double change replacing Rodriguez and Roberts who had put in excellent perfromances with Green and wilkinson. The final 20 minutes were relatively comfortable with us setting up to play on the counter act for large periods, allowing the oppostion possession in midfield areas without creating any real chances, a late free kick caused alarm and from a back post header, the oppostion had a goal correctly ruled out for off side. Full time 2-0.
Trix have some talented individuals, but thats what they are(individuals), Beacy also have a lot of talented individuals, but who want to play as a team for each other. Today was a great example of how far team spirit and sheer will to win can get you. Everyone associatied with this win can be very proud of themselves, i hope this is a bench mark for the rest of the season and we go on to achieve our goals of promotion and a berks and bucks cup win.
Man of the match - could of gone to all 14 players there today, i have picked Phil Wingfield who has proven to be an excellent signing capeable of playing in a number of positions.
