Injuries, weddings and work again played havoc to the B&A squad which was looking for its eighth straight victory. The squad welcomed back from the dead Tom Bayley who made his return having cut short his squash career citing lack of shower time for his reason for retirement. He was joined by Hamish “La Roux” Warnock who went straight into the starting line up after coach Pat had heard through the grapevine that he was quite good and very ginger.
The opponents we knew would be a tough outfit having narrowly beaten them 3-2 on the opening day of the season. This was exemplified during the opening exchanges with a lively strike force causing the B&A back line a few problems, fortunately for us they couldn’t finish. After a few warnings Invicta took the lead through a combination of some good wing play and some dodgy defending.
Coming from behind is something that B&A do well and it wasn’t long before we were back on level terms after some great work from Latts who fed 2gun to fire home from 14 yards (see Hernandez’s goal vs. Wolves for an accurate replay). From this point on the game was end to end and both teams had numerous chances to take the lead but it was the visitors who finally took their chance when whippet Zack Efron started a mazy run down the left before spanking a shot which the keeper could only parry into the path of the on rushing Lattimer who had a simple header to give B&A the lead. This is the way it stayed until half time, although it could have been 10-8 if both teams could finish!
The second half Blackham came out of the blocks quickly with Mantis and Efron causing trouble down the flanks and Latts looking very dangerous through the middle. It wasn’t long after the break that we went 3-1 up with some great running from Mantis down the right who’s pass found Lattimer who smashed home to get his brace. Having been second best for the majority of the first half Blackham started to boss proceedings with Hamish winning the headers and Ghost tackling hard and spraying the ball about. This period of possession lead to us having numerous chances to increase the lead, however, it was Invicta that would score the next goal and gain momentum. 5 minutes later it was 3-3 and that’s the way it finished to take the tie to extra-time.
The first half of extra-time, B&A started well with Zack using his pace to exploit the tiring Invicta defence. It didn’t take long before he was on the score sheet with a neat left footed finish to beat the keeper at the front post. The second half saw the introduction of Bayley who showed some nice touches and some good tackles and we continued to dominate, however, Invicata like a dirty cockroach would just not die and they evened the scores with a couple of minutes to spare to take the game to pens.
Latts, who had been phenomenal for 120 minutes, stepped up to take the first pen but decided hitting the back of the onion bag twice was enough and continued by re-enacting Stuart Pearce’s pen from 1990 before trotting off to get changed. Efron and Ghost showed maturity well beyond their years to coolly slot their pens home. Invicta then missed their pen to even the scores before Bayley and Little G scored leaving the scores 4-4 after the initial 5 penalties. New boy La Roux put himself forward for the first sudden death penalty and the pressure of wearing the red & black was clearly too much for the lad as he blasted his penalty over allowing the Invicta captain to roll home the winning penalty and leave B&A ruing missed chances.
To top it off the showers were pony so the captain will be glad he stayed at home to nurse his man flu. Bring on next week and East Peckham. Remember your shooting boots!
Lots of Love 2Gun Miami Vice xx
B&A forever...
