BBOB made it two wins in a row in a not completely convincing performance against a young Southwick Rangers team. Key players returned to the squad including Adam Leaver at centre back, top scorer Matt Barton at centre forward and utility man Dan Buchanan who slotted in the starting eleven at left midfield. Recent signing John Howard started at centre back again.
BBOB started strong and took control of the game, within five minutes they had taken the lead. Right back Paul Barton played the ball to right winger Michael (Titch) McMahon and his well struck cross found the unmarked Matt Barton just inside the six yard box. He made no mistake with his first time strike!
BBOB relaxed following the early lead, and at times were too relaxed, and Southwick Rangers, on occasion, caused the back four some problems with their long ball play. Their best chance fell to one of their centre forwards, who had broken the BBOB offside trap? Under pressure from right back Paul Barton he luckily fired his shot into the side netting. BBOB continued to play the ball around which was not easy on an uneven and rock hard pitch, at times the back four put themselves under some unnecessary pressure but were able to deal with the Rangers threat each time, but only just!
A good move down the right involving Michael McMahon and Matt Barton found Paul Barton in space and his well struck cross flew across the area, but somehow neither Tom Bunting nor Dan Buchanan could find the touch to send the ball goal bound! In the 30th minute BBOB finally doubled the lead, this time another good move found Matt Barton in midfield, he fed fellow striker Tom Bunting down the right and his superbly struck effort flew across the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner!
After this Southwick had a bit of pressure on the BBOB defence but failed to produce any notable effort on goal! Half time 2-0 to BBOB.
At half time Michael McMahon (still suffering from a cold) was replaced by Jamie Eade. The second half was all BBOB; they retained possession of the ball well but at times were unable to create when it mattered. Although within five minutes of half time and coming on Jamie Eade put the game seemingly beyond Southwick Rangers! A Ryan Satterly corner was not cleared and fell to the right foot of Jamie Eade and his side footed effort was buried beyond the opposition keeper (someone has claimed a final touch on this goal - sort of thing you do when it's your birthday!)
Shortly after this left midfielder Dan Buchanan was replaced by Adam Craig (Skin). Five minutes later BBOB made it four when midfielder Howard Lloyd's cross field ball was converted on the volley into the top right hand corner of the goal by Matt Barton to take his tally to two on the day!
BBOB continued to press but were unable to create many more chances, despite some good work down the right involving Paul Barton and Jamie Eade. Fairly late on BBOB goalkeeper Craig Watson gifted a Rangers midfielder a chance on goal after a poor clearance but luckily his shot was hit well wide.
Not a poor performance but also not the greatest! Still, another three points and a rare clean sheet going into some much tougher games over a large volume of fixtures! Only five games to play in seven days, including the cup final!
Match report by Paul Barton
