BBOB recorded a vital win and a clean sheet to assist them in their quest to finish top of the league! Due to a few injuries and work commitments manager Steve Maskell was forced into making changes, second team regular and BBOB stalwart Paul Thomas came in at right back with captain Paul Barton remaining at centre back, this time partnered by the returning Adam Leaver. Dan Buchanan & Howard Lloyd returned to the midfield and Fletcher Elliott partnered Matt Barton up front.
The game was competitive from the start with TMG winning the majority of the early exchanges. They had an extra man in centre midfield, and it took BBOB some time to deal with this, luckily the BBOB defence were able to clear their lines well and goalkeeper Craig Watson made some early saves. BBOB were unable to get their passing game going until the 13th minute, and against the run of play, Fletcher Elliott found Howard Lloyd on the edge of the TMG box, his neat footwork took him into the area where he found Matt Barton in space, he buried the ball past the TMG keeper into the bottom right hand corner.
BBOB failed to settle and TMG were determined to get on the score sheet, they had one goal disallowed for hand ball by their lone centre forward and created chances from a collection of free kicks and corners, one chance was blasted over the bar. Craig Watson in the BBOB goal again keeping the opposition at bay! BBOB also had some chances to score, the ball fell to Fletcher Elliott twelve yards out but he was unable to connect and spooned the ball wide. In the 30th minute the ball also fell to left back Ryan Satterley in a shooting position just outside the box, unfortunately he didn't take the opportunity to shoot, not sure what he did do with it but it definitely wasn't a shot (was it?)! Luckily Matt Barton saved Satterley's blushes seven minutes later, when a long ball from Craig Watson was flicked on by Fletcher Elliot into the path of top scorer Matt Barton who smashed the ball past the approaching keeper. Half time 2-0 to BBB.
The second half started perfectly for BBOB, they won an early corner, the ball fell to Dan Buchanan, his miscued effort found Matt Barton in the six yard box, who turned and fired the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick! Finally BBOB could settle and following this reverted to playing the ball around well. Matt Barton found himself in another goal scoring position, one-on-one with keeper, but fired his low shot narrowly wide with the keeper well beaten. In the 75th minute Fletcher Elliott was replaced by Charlie Steinicke. TMG never gave up and continued to press for a goal, the BBOB back four continued to clear their lines and were determined to keep a clean sheet!
Other BBOB chances were missed and a fourth goal wasn't to be. A confidence boosting performance ahead of a make or break game this coming Saturday versus Royal Hove! Second place is guaranteed now; surely BBOB can go one better!
Match report by Paul Barton
