BBOB won their third game in succession with an impressive performance against the 'high-flying' Hobgoblin. The game was delayed due to Braypool being waterlogged and was moved at the last minute to Waterhall, a decision made between players, club officials and the referee! BBOB had a strong squad available, Dan Edwards returned to centre back, Jac Edwards returned to left midfield and forward Matt Barton returned to the starting line up at the expense of Jamie Eade.
Hobgoblin started the strongest and created some good early chances, luckily firing just wide on two occasions, in the 10th minute BBOB conceded a corner and Hobgoblin scored from a well taken header at the far post. Just after this came the game changing moment as Michael (Titch) McMahon's ridiculous green boots had to be replaced (the sole on the right boot was hanging off!). He borrowed a spare pair (a decent black pair!) and despite the tight squeeze put in an excellent performance down the right side of midfield for the remainder of the game!
He was not the only one as BBOB turned the tide on this seemingly one-sided game, BBOB spend the remainder of the first 45 minutes in the Hobgoblin half. Despite the poor playing conditions and heavy opposition challenges BBOB were determined to keep to their passing game, and eventually this paid off. In the 27th minute BBOB were awarded a free kick on the right side of the Hobgoblin area. Left back Ryan Satterly swung in a cross, the goalkeeper was unable to hold the ball and from the rebound Matt Barton fired the ball in with an over-head kick! BBOB continued to push to take the lead but were unable to create any further chances as the game went to the break.
The second half continued in similar fashion to the first with BBOB keeping the ball well and keeping the Hobgoblin defence and goal keeper very busy. In the 50th minute forward Ben Scott was replaced by Jamie Eade and five minutes later Ryan Satterly was replaced at left back by Dan Buchanan. In the 63rd minute BBOB took a well deserved lead after a well worked move found Jamie Eade wide on the left and his deep cross found the head of Michael McMahon at the far post who placed his header into the roof of the net.
Further chances were not taken by the BBOB forwards and a penalty appeal was waved away by the referee when Jamie Eade appeared to be fouled in the six yard box! In the 78th minute BBOB must have though they had blown it! A miss hit shot from a Hobgoblin attacker found its way to their left winger and he tucked his shot just inside the near post to equalise!
Almost immediately BBOB got the ball forward and after some intricate play in and around the Hobgoblin box a penalty was awarded for a foul on Jamie Eade, midfielder Howard Lloyd stepped up to take the spot kick. His shot was saved and parried to the on-rushing Michael McMahon who smashed the ball into the net from a tight angle! From this moment on BBOB could have had a number of goals, but missed chances and had two disallowed for being 'offside' (both Matt Barton's), helped keep the score down. We scored two more to clinch the three points, the first came in the 84th minute, after a miss-hit free kick from right backPaulBarton somehow found it's way through the crowd and to Jac Edwards, and his cheeky improvised shot with the outside of his left foot fired straight past the Hobgoblin keeper!
The final BBOB goal came in the 87th minute, when another good passing move found Jac Edwards in space on the left and his cross found Matt Barton inside the area, after taking a touch he then fired his shot just inside the post! A very satisfying and well deserved win for BBOB and, with two cup games in a row coming up, it was crucial to get another league win!
Match report written byPaulBarton
