BBOB won their second game in a row in a superbly contested performance against Division 1 newcomers Racing Palmeira. Player manager Steve Maskell remained in goal and displayed his best performance in this role with an excellent clean sheet! Michael (Titch) McMahon returned after a one game absence to produce and eye-catching performance in the centre of midfield. There was also a promising debut for Gavyn Mewett, starting at left midfield and Chris Thomas featured for the first time this season as sub.
BBOB took the game to Palmeira straight away, Gavyn Mewett received the ball in space on the edge of the area, he played a through ball to Jamie Eade, his first time effort was placed narrowly wide of the post. Shortly afterwards Jamie failed to convert a close range effort, opting to go for a spectacular volley rather than attempting to use his head!!
Racing Palmeira best chances came from counter attacks, and on a few occasions they nearly capitalised on this. Their best chance in the first half came from a fierce diagonal shot which was well saved by the BBOB keeper at full stretch, and cleared for a corner.
In the 30th minute, a well struck cross from right back Paul Barton to the far post found the head of Gavyn Mewett but he somehow directed the perfect delivery into the opposition's side netting! Two minutes later, Paul Barton tried a different approach, this time, after tackling a Racing Palmeira midfielder he took one look at the goal and fired a perfectly hit shot into the right hand top corner of the net, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot! A superb strike that will be talked about in BBOB folklore for many seasons to come!
BBOB's confidence was now growing and further chances were being carved out from excellent passing moves all over the park. Right midfielder Tom Marshall unfortunately squandered a close range effort after a good run. The worst culprit of the day was centre forward Lee (Chief) Madigan, who managed to miss a close range headed chance from practically on the goal line, the chance coming from a superb cross from Jamie Eade, Chief somehow steered the ball over when it seemed easier to score.
The second half was very the much the same for BBOB, there was plenty of pressure put upon the Racing Palmeira defence, in the 47th minute, midfielder Howard Lloyd battled his way into the penalty area and fired a goal bound shot across the keeper, who somehow managed to get a fingertip to it and keep his team in the game (for the time being at least)!
Shortly after this Gavyn Mewett was replaced by Chris Thomas at left midfield.
BBOB finally grabbed a well-deserved second goal after winning a corner in the 62nd minute, an excellent far post corner, taken by left back Dan Buchanan, found the head of Michael (Titch) McMahon who could not miss from close range.
In the 70th minute Titch doubled his tally and grabbed BBOB's third, the chance was created by some great work down the left from Dan Buchanan, his snakey run allowed him to lose his marker and his perfect cross found the head of Titch, who placed his header beyond the Palmeira keeper!
Following this, centre forward Jamie Eade was replaced by debutant Dave Garrett (it seemed strange seeing him without his Stoke City shirt on!!). Racing Palmeira also made changes which seemed to improve their performance but the BBOB defence did a great job with dealing with anything that was thrown at them. BBOB keeper, Steve Maskell, made a superb save in the 80th minute after a good run and shot from a Palmeira midfielder. This was the only real threat on the BBOB goal in the second half.
This was a solid and confident display from BBOB, ok, it may have featured a wonder goal, but the most pleasing thing was the togetherness on the pitch, it felt like a 'team' performance for the first time this season!
Match Report by Paul (8 games to go!) Barton
