BBOB progressed to the next round of the Sussex FA Junior Cup in this closely fought match against the West Sussex league team Felpham Colts. Enforced changes were made to the previous week's victorious line up (when the finest goal ever scored in a BBOB shirt was witnessed!). Injured striker Matt Barton was left on the 'bench' and was replaced in the starting line up by Jamie Eade, returning from his 'birthday' break on the previous weekend! The injured Ed Wyeth, who is unfortunately likely to be suffering from a very long layoff, was replaced by Michael McMahon (Titch) at right midfield. Adam Craig (Skin) returned to the BBOB line up at left midfield after being absent since the opening game of the season! Ryan Satterly returned from his boxing exploits (and 'biggest Bollocks' award) at left back and Dan Buchanan fulfilled his lifelong ambition, to finally play in every outfield position for BBOB by slotting in at centre back!
The game started slowly for both teams but within the first ten minutes BBOB began to take control and chances on goal fell their way, a succession of corners from Ryan Satterly eventually created a good headed chance for midfielder Howard Lloyd, but once again he placed his header just over the bar! After a string of further chances and some fine saves from the Felpham goalkeeper BBOB finally took the lead. Howard Lloyd received the ball from the right hand side and switched the play to left back Ryan Satterly; his perfectly placed cross found Howard Lloyd just inside the opposition area and his first time low drive was unstoppable for the Felpham keeper!
In the 38th minute right winger Michael McMahon was replaced through injury by Ashley Lloyd. In the 43rd minute Howard Lloyd doubled the lead, after a free kick was awarded for a foul from behind on Jamie Eade on the edge of the area. Howard placed the free kick over the wall and off the inside of the left hand post leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot! Half time 2-0.
The second half was different! BBOB were no longer in control of the game as Felpham started to push forward. Although BBOB should have increased the lead to 3 when Jamie Eade's well-struck lob was ruled offside by the opposition's linesman. Left winger Adam Craig was replaced by Stuart Burgess in the 51st minute.
After 59 minutes Felpham pulled one back after BBOB failed to fully clear their lines and an unmarked forward latched onto a loose ball in the BBOB area, firing the ball past the wrong-footed BBOB goalkeeper Craig Watson. The game remained fairly even and could have gone either way, in the 67th minute forward Jamie Eade was replaced by Matt Barton. Shortly after this Felpham equalised from out of nothing! A diagonal cross from their left found the glancing head of a forward and sailed into the BBOB net!
It seemed that BBOB were not too phased by this, and in the 84th minute, an Ashley Lloyd corner from the right found the head of Howard Lloyd who's downward (and possibly goal bound!?) header was headed over the line by goal poacher Matt Barton to seal the cup tie! There was relief at the final whistle, as no one wanted extra time and this was game that BBOB deserved to win!
Match report, AGAIN OBVIOUSLY, written by Paul Barton
