The day finally arrived, the big kick off. After the longest and most successful pre season campaign in the clubs history the lads were in good spirits as they arrived at the ground to prepare for the match. On paper the squad was strong even with the growing injured list. The only surprises were the inclusion of everyone’s favourite ginger returning to the squad after spending the summer at band camp, good to have you back Hamish and the lack of a recognised goal keeper in the set up. This was due to Brown Bear being loaned out to Ticehurst, Fuzzy Harrison tripping over his tampon strings and injuring a toe nail while sunning himself on the Costa del crime and new youth team keeper Justin Timberlake having a nose job. Luckily the versatile Stan Bowles stepped up to the plate and donned the gloves of glory. Unfortunately he was far too skinny to wear the famous B&A gold Larmay so squeezed in to the much famed 'Fresh Source' keeper’s jersey from the 2005 title winning season.
With Hamish Macbeth lacking match fitness he sat on the bench while the young Alex D’Albers who had been so impressive in Pre Season made his first league start for the club. After missing the last couple of friendly matches Gandhi's Ghost also had to make do with a place on the bench. Other than Stan in the sticks and the return to first team action of everyone’s least favourite ginger at right back the team had a familiar look to it. The clubs sudo gaffer left the team with some simple but wise words before kickoff. “Just go out there boys and keep doing what you’ve been doing all through pre season and you’ll beat this lot easy”. Unfortunately something must have got lost in translation as the next 45 minutes did not resemble anything that we did in pre season. Players were holding on to the ball for too long, final balls were poor and no one seemed confident enough to have a pop. In contrast it was High Brooms who looked the more likely team to score; they were more hungry, physical and vocal. So it was no surprise when they went in front. A lack of communication at the back let their forward slip in and lob the stranded Bowlsey. The rest of the half was frustrating with only tiny glimpses of the passing flowing football B&A are capable of. However it was one such moment that led to a chance to equalise late on in the half. Zac Morris jinked past his man and slipped his school bum chum Alex D who was brutally chopped down in the box, the ref showed no hesitation pointing to the spot. But then, to everyone’s amazement and shock Baggo picked up the ball and placed it on the spot. Unfortunately no one stepped forward to stop him and we all watched on helpless as he took his run up before blasting the ball high and wide over the crossbar, over the netting, over the trees , we believe the ball later landed somewhere near Ghyll road! As they game kick off for the second half it was clear that the B&A boys now had the bit between their teeth and were not going to be rolled over by the caravan dwellers from up the road. Hamish Macbeth and Gandhi’s Ghost were introduced early in the second half. So far to this point only the Blackham fullbacks were enjoying any kind of success, especially Pat who was making his first competitive start for over three years, he looked very comfortable on the ball and was keen to get forward as much as possible. But it was the driving force of the Ginger Prince of Scotland in the middle helped turn the tide of the game and before long we were playing the game in their final third of the pitch. Again it was Hamish Macbeth who popped up from a corner to knock the ball back for Bish to prod home from close range and even things up. From this point on there was only going to be one winner. Frage was introduced on the right wing and had a chance to win it straight away. After exchanging passes with Captain Bez he flicked his shot just wide of the post. Hamish then burst clear and beat the keeper but had his shot scooped off the line at the last second. With five minutes to go Hobbit won a free kick in no man’s land. The kick found Bish at the far stick who rose above his marker to nod back across goal in to the path of Hobbit who had the simple task of tucking it away and snatching all three points on his birthday. A hard fought, ugly but well deserved three points. We’ve opened our account and are up and running.
