BBOB's first game of the new 2011-12 season turned out to be a cup game against West Sussex team Watersfield FC, BBOB started the game well and took control with some good possession football, including some good link up play from Matt Barton, Joe Thomas (in his first game for the 1st team) & Howard Lloyd. In the 6th minute BBOB earned a corner which was taken by Ryan Satterley, it was half cleared and a well taken half volley by Josh Staniforth found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The referee ruled that the corner had gone out of play and then back in. This didn't deter BBOB, who continued to push forward and create chances. However, it was Watersfield who took the lead with their first attack, a free kick caused confusion in the BBOB penalty box, the ball fell kindly to an unmarked opposition player who buried his shot with ease.
BBOB seemed determined to make amends, and did so immediately, a great passing move starting from the defence, including a great run from Chris Thomas in midfield found Howard Lloyd in a shooting position only for him to be brought down by the Watersfield defence. Striker Matt Barton put the penalty away with an effort the keeper should have done better with! The keeper was at fault again with BBOB's second goal, although Matt Barton did very well to close the keeper down and direct his misplaced clearance into the goal off his arse! This was no more than BBOB deserved; in fact, they should have been further ahead at this point!
In the last 10 minutes of the first half Watersfield improved and used their aerial threat well, but the BBOB defence did not succumb to the pressure and goalkeeper Craig Watson commanded his box well. Half time 2-1.
The second half started in similar fashion to how the first finished and BBOB found it difficult to control the game in the way they had in the early stages. The wet and windy conditions appeared to suit Watersfield's style and again their aerial attack was threatening the BBOB defence. But BBOB held out and after a couple of goal mouth scrambles the Watersfield threat had ceased. Howard Lloyd managed to trip over the referee's feet in the middle of the park during one BBOB move; bizarrely the referee gave a drop ball for this incident!!
It took until the 70th minute before BBOB increased their lead, another good move down the right involving Paul Barton, Steve Maskell & Joe Thomas resulted in another penalty decision for a foul on Joe Thomas just inside the box.
Matt Barton buried the penalty straight down the middle of the goal with the keeper diving to his left. Matt Barton could have got his fourth of the game just after this after attempting a long range chip which just went over the bar. After a very promising BBOB debut, Joe Thomas was replaced by Ben Wheatland in the 74th minute.
Watersfield had a short spell on the attack and should have scored when a forward was found unmarked from a cross, but his header hit the bar. Howard Lloyd had a couple of shots from distance in quick succession but the keeper was equal to them and left back Keith Churchward had an effort on goal which sailed just over the bar! In the 89th minute, BBOB secured the result with a sweeping team move, which started from a Matt Barton throw in on the left to Chris Thomas who found right back Paul Barton in a forward position his pin-pointed cross found the Ben Wheatland's head, who had no option but to score BBOB's fourth goal of the game! In stoppage time Ben Wheatland had another goal bound effort disallowed, the keeper appeared to drop Ben's effort over the goal line but this was not the case according to the opposition's Linesman!
A good all round performance from BBOB and a great start to the season.
Match reporter Paul Barton
