Boat Inn FC recorded their first league win of the season with a well deserved victory against AFC Coventry Lions.
Boat Inn sealed a fine, hard fought victory which the final scoreline frankly did not reflect. Taking the game to Coventry Lions, Boat Inn started the game in dominant style with quick insightful passing and a real hunger to win first and second balls, particulary in the centre of the park. Boat Inn scored after just 3 minutes from a swung in cross from Ant field which Mick Squibb met with a fierce hender. Boat Inn's confidence grew further and after just 18 minutes scored another headed goal from a corner finding the top of the net from the in form Mick Squibb.
Coventry Lions were down but certainly not out and an unfortunate defensive mix up from Boat Inn saw the defecit halved after 22 minutes. Coventry Lions confidence grew whilst Boat Inn started to look nervous in possession, giving the ball away a number of times which eventually saw AFC Coventry Lions draw level after 30 minutes from a low cross that was not properly dealt with.
Boat Inn to their credit re-grouped and went again with further strong runs from both sides of the pitch. Boat Inn re-took the lead after a scramble in the box which saw Coventry Lions put through their own net, leaving Boat Inn to go in at half time 3-2 to the good.
Second Half
Boat Inn started very strongly in the second half and it was a result of hard work in winning back the ball that saw their 4th goal scored after 55 minutes. Mick Squibb breaking from midfield ran with the ball before powering a 25 yard strike over the helpless keeper and into the net. some say it was a toe poke but let's give Mick the glory of a well deserved hat trick!
Boat Inn's confidence was at it's highest now, knowing that a hard earned victory was in sight. A break away move involving Josh Brannen saw the player break into the right side of the box drawing one player before being felled by the advancing keeper. A straight forward penalty decision was the outcome which Josh Brannen slotted away to the keepers right side.
5-2 up with 25 minutes remaining should have seen Boat Inn cruise to an easy win - but the thought of a first win against a side that were sat in third place before kick off clearly played on some minds and it is fair to say the focus on positional play was lost with Boat Inn eventually being caught out. After a succession of corners the ball cleared to the edge of the box before being lobbed back over Stacie Bentley, our advancing keeper. Further pressure from Coventry Lions gave them their 4th goal; from 20 yards out a Coventry Lions player made no mistake with an unstoppable volleyed effort, this with 10 minutes still remaining.
The last 10 minutes was a very nervy affair and saves from Stacie Bentley and the post on one occasion kept Boat Inn afloat as they eventualy saw the game through.
Summary
A highly deserved win against one of the leagues better teams should give every Boat Inn player confidence that they can put the opening games behind them now and start to build a succesful winning run.
3D Scantech away in the cup next weekend will provide that very opportunity - ANOTHER WIN PLEASE!
