BBOB ended the season with a well deserved win against third placed ATS Southern, Ed Wyeth returned to right midfield and Michael (Titch) McMahon replaced the absent Jac Edwards at left midfield. Ben Wheatland returned to the starting line up to partner BBOB leading scorer Matt Barton. BBOB started brightly and took control of the game but suffered a set back when centre back Tom Bunting collided with an opposition player and was unable to continue.
With BBOB down to 10 men while Tom received treatment, in the eighth minute Matt Barton broke free from the ATS Southern defence his cross found Ed Wyeth who finished well from 12 yards.
Three minutes later BBOB were two up, Ben Wheatland found himself in space in the six yard box, after a good first touch to control the ball, he slotted it past the ATS keeper. Tom came back on the pitch but almost immediately broken down again, captain Paul Barton moved to centre back and substitute Joe Thomas filled in at right back.
BBOB continued to press following this but were unable to find the back of net and Matt Barton appeared to struggle to get the two goals he needed to finish the division's top scorer, the ATS keeper was on fine form and BBOB wasted some good chances! Just before half time a rare ATS attack led to a corner, after BBOB failed to clear, the ball fell to an ATS attacker who placed his header just inside the BBOB goal post, half time 2-1.
BBOB started the second half stronger and looked dangerous with every attack, ATS held up strong but were eventually beaten in the 57th minute, a well taken flick by left winger Michael McMahon found Matt Barton in space, and as the keeper left his line, he placed his shot in to the top right hand corner of the net. Within seconds Matt Barton made it two for him and four for BBOB, this time a one on one after a long ball down the middle from goal keeper Craig Watson, with a bit of help from Howard Lloyd. Matt Barton placed his shot past the on-rushing opposition keeper to finish the division's top scorer with 19 goals (plus four in cup competitions).
BBOB continued to look dangerous and had plenty of chances to increase the lead, but somehow this didn't happen, with chances falling to Michael (Titch) McMahon heading over from a superb cross from centre back Paul Barton and Joe Thomas somehow missing the target from four yards after a great team move. Although arguably the best chances came to the double veteran late substitute Dick Horseman! Matt Barton received the ball on the left wing and played it in to Dick for his first touch of the game, he side footed his shot wide of the advancing keeper and almost through the legs of a defender covering the goal. A minute later Matt Barton received the ball in space on the edge of the area and crossed it into the centre, where H was rushing in and Dick was trying to rush, H could not connect with the ball leaving Dick to stab the ball towards goal which had the goalkeeper beaten but sadly it just went wide of the post! That would have capped off a very memorable season for BBOB but a 4-1 win on the last game of season, after the disappointment of the previous week, was very encouraging looking ahead to next season.
Now the team will look forward to the end of season game against the second team on Friday 23rd at Southwick County ground (7 pm kick off) as well as a well earned break before challenging in the next division next season.
On a personal note, playing in my 14th season with the club this has definitely been the best and most consistent season of all. Very rarely did we struggle to field a team, the encouragement and morale was superb! The season consisted of many highs such as the ridiculous games against Saltdean Olympic Oval, and the early win over Royal Hove, winning our first nine league games, reaching two cup semi finals, finishing runners up and gaining promotion.
Paul Barton
