BBOB lost their first game of the season (inside 90 minutes) against a determined Royal Hove in the J W Whittington cup semi final. BBOB were depleted in numbers, with just one substitute Charlie Steinicke. All three regular centre backs were missing, leaving the usual right back Paul Barton & central midfielder Chris Thomas as their replacements. Regular left back Keith Churchward reverted to right back and utility man Dan Buchanan played left back.
Royal Hove took early control of the game with their long ball and long throw tactics being utilised well, but the makeshift BBOB defence and goalkeeper Craig Watson dealt with this well. Despite the Hove pressure, BBOB scored on their first real attack, striker Joe Thomas won the ball well and played it out wide to left winger Jac Edwards. After beating his marker Edwards fired a fierce cross into the Royal Hove area where BBOB forward Lee (Chief) Madigan’s head connected perfectly planting the ball into the net! A great start for BBOB and a superb goal after just 8 minutes.
Shortly after this Royal Hove won a corner, the ball was placed close to goalkeeper Craig Watson and as he punched the ball clear he was elbowed in the face by an opposition forward. The blood flowed and after treatment to his lower lip (a tissue was placed in his mouth!) he returned to the field of play. This was an added concern for the back four, as it was almost impossible to hear the keeper's muffled calling for the ball! Joe Thomas twice closed down the opposition keeper well and had two deflections fired wide.
Royal Hove continued to press and had a penalty shout in the 30th minute, which was dismissed by the referee, Hove felt that BBOB central midfielder Rich Houghton had tripped their player just inside the BBOB box. Royal Hove should have scored just after this when a quick move down their left, fell to their forward, his early shot across the goal narrowly missed! Half time 1-0.
Royal Hove started the second half the stronger and immediately put BBOB under pressure, and within three minutes of the restart they equalised. A quick one-two on the edge of the box found one of the Hove forwards on goal, his well hit early strike into the roof of the net took goalkeeper Craig Watson by surprise. Five minutes later a Royal Hove corner was converted to make it 1-2 when BBOB failed to clear, the ball fell kindly to a Royal Hove forward who made no mistake from one yard. Up until this point BBOB had dealt well with the Royal Hove long ball/throw tactics!
BBOB didn't give up and there was plenty of time to get back into the game, but Royal Hove appeared to be able to halt every BBOB attack and did not allow BBOB to play their passing game. BBOB could have been further behind in the 70th minute, but a great save by Craig Watson, diving to his right stopped a well struck Royal Hove shot. Time was running out for BBOB and in the 80th minute, Rich Houghton fell over his own feet trying to chase the ball and turned his ankle! He was replaced by Charlie Steinicke who went to left back and Dan Buchanan to centre midfield. For the last ten minutes of the game Chris Thomas, who played a superb game at centre back moved into midfield, as BBOB went to three at the back. BBOB failed to breach the impressive Hove defence, the game ended 2-1 to Royal Hove and this very short cup run was over!!
Match report by Paul Barton
