Diversity v Brighton BBOB 1-3
BBOB are finally on a winning streak, with two wins in a row!
BBOB went into this game with renewed confidence after a decent victory two weeks beforehand. They were up against the third placed team, so were facing a much tougher opponent than last time out.
BBOB started the game the strongest and created some early half-chances, the best of which falling to Maro Han who failed to capitalise on a loose ball by hitting his early shot just wide. Diversity also had a decent chance to take the lead in the first ten minutes but luckily for BBOB the Diversity forward fired his effort high and over the bar.
In the fifteenth minute the deadlock was broken when once again Maro Han pounced on a loose defensive ball to the Diversity goalkeeper. He dispossessed the keeper and placed his shot into the net whilst under pressure from the Diversity centre backs.
This prompted a response from Diversity and for a ten minute spell the BBOB defence was tested further with some good counter attack football. The BBOB defence dealt with this pressure well and were able to clear their lines and goalkeeper Mike Fielding made a couple of impressive saves from long distance efforts.
BBOB then had their own spell of pressure, but were unable to find many clear cut chances. Maro Han missed an effort from close range and after some neat play involving right back Paul Barton and Maro Han the ball found its way into the box to Howard Lloyd, who, despite finding the back of the net, was ruled offside.
BBOB did increase their lead in the 35th minute from a well worked free kick taken by centre back Dan Edwards. His kick found the head of Howard Lloyd who place the ball back across goal to his fellow central midfielder team mate Michael McMahon (titch) who superbly placed his half-volley attempt into the empty Diversity goal!
Five minutes later Diversity halved the deficit with a route one goal. A long ball down the middle of the park bounced through the BBOB defence and straight to a Diversity forward who ran through to place his shot over the on-rushing BBOB keeper.
Half time 1-2.
Diversity started the brightest and BBOB seemed to be failing to deal with the pace and strength of their opponent’s midfield and forward line. It was another ten minutes before BBOB settled back into the game and started fully competing again and luckily, once again, nothing came of Diversity’s increased pressure on the BBOB defence. This seemed to coincide with the introduction of Luke Pope, who replace the injured Maro Han in midfield and with Joe Marshall swapping to the left wing.
The game became very open, with Diversity seeking the equaliser and BBOB pushing to secure the three points. In the 72nd minute a well-timed overlap run by the impressive BBOB left back Dan Buchanan found him through on goal, after Jac Edwards had played the ball through. The Diversity keeper charged out of his goal allowing the left back to lift the ball over him into the empty net.
With just 18 minutes remaining BBOB settled on the ball and set out to make sure that the three points were theirs. Diversity made changes in their attack and pressed forward but the BBOB defence held up strongly to the physical challenge, clearing their lines well and only allowing one decent chance to fall to the opposition, a close-range header which thankfully was placed well over the bar.
BBOB gave a debut appearance to Young Min Kim, who replaced Joe Marshall in the 75th minute at left midfield. In the last 15 minutes the best chances seem to fall to BBOB, Michael McMahon was played through on goal by Jac Edwards from the half way line, his low effort was smashed straight against the Diversity keeper. Centre forward Christian Michael turned his marker on the edge of the area in the final minute and chipped a shot towards goal, only for the keeper to touch the ball, at full stretch, onto the cross bar.
Full time Diversity 1 BBOB 3
This was a thoroughly deserved and satisfying win for BBOB against a physically strong and decent team. BBOB were up to the challenge and in the end could have won the game by more.
Report by Paul Barton.
