BBOB returned to league action in a tightly fought contest with CCK, again, the BBOB squad suffered from absent players. Dan Edwards returned to the centre back position, regular keeper Craig Watson injured his ankle in training and was replaced by Ryan Satterly. Gavyn Mewett started his first game of the season at left back. The only sub was player-manager Steve Maskell.
BBOB started the game slowly and allowed the opposition to create chances early on but luckily they were unable to capitalise, their best chance was thankfully fired straight at stand-in keeper Ryan Satterly. In the eighth minute, against the run of play, BBOB took the lead, after some good work down the left the ball found its way to striker Matt Barton. He in turn found his fellow forward Tom Bunting who skilfully turned and placed his right foot shot into the bottom left corner of the net, leaving the CCK keeper rooted to the spot!
Shortly after this BBOB could have doubled their lead when Tom Bunting was played into space down the right and on the half volley forced a fine save from the CCK keeper at full stretch! In the twentieth minute BBOB doubled their lead after some good pressure on the CCK defence. This time a long throw from Dan Edwards was met by Matt Barton who twisted and back headed the ball past the opposition keeper from close range.
CCK rallied after this and began to apply pressure on the BBOB defence, eventually the halved the deficit in the 35th minute with a perfect through ball to the CCK lone striker who made no mistake from 12 yards out. BBOB had no real response and settled for half time.
BBOB began the second half the strongest and forced a collection of missed chances, with the CCK keeper, once again, making some good saves and close range efforts narrowly hit wide! Half time substitute Steve Maskell also hit a half volley just over the bar from 30 yards out.
BBOB began to retreat and attempted to hold onto the narrow lead with 30 minutes yet to play, tired legs became a factor and the lack of substitution options eventually took its toll! Although the CCK equaliser was an absolute gift from god! The CCK right winger miss-hit a cross field ball and it managed to sail straight over the BBOB keeper's head into the top left hand corner.
The third and winning goal was an even better gift for CCK, this time a corner was gathered by goalkeeper Ryan Satterly, who was then nudged on the arm, forcing him to drop the ball allowing a CCK player to smash the ball into the BBOB net from six yards out! The referee's assistant, supplied by BBOB, flagged signalling for a foul, but the referee decided he would give the goal despite admitting after the game that he didn't see what happened. This was a cruel turn in the game for BBOB, especially as just moments before this a good run by Matt Barton down the left and fierce shot onto the cross bar followed by a missed rebound could have easily won the game for them!!
Match report by Paul Barton
