Brighton BBOB versus Southwick Rangers FC II
BBOB get the win and run riot in the first half
It's been a long time coming; this emphatic win was BBOB's first league win in over a season and was thoroughly deserved! As has been the case for most of the season so far, BBOB had a full squad available and Manager Steve Maskell had a difficult task in picking the starting eleven, there were no recognisable centre backs available and a make shift back four was adopted with Luke Pope and Andy Wilson holding the centre half positions. BBOB stalwart Paul Barton was at right back and Dan Buchanan dropped back from left midfield to left back. The central midfield comprised of regulars Michael McMahon (Titch) and Howard Lloyd, Ben Middleditch started his first game of the season at right midfield with Maro Han started on the left. There was a new front pairing of Jac Edwards and Seb Stall.
BBOB started the game the strongest with plenty of early pressure on the Southwick goal; they took the lead in the 10th minute after a well worked move around the area found its way to Maro Han, who made no mistake from 12 yards out. Further chances fell to the BBOB forwards but Southwick were able to escape further punishment.
After almost twenty minutes Southwick scored with their first chance of the game, BBOB failed to clear their lines on the left hand side of defence and an in swinging ball found their left winger just inside the area, his first time shot was hit straight at BBOB keeper Mike Fielding which unfortunately went through his hands and slowly looped over the BBOB goal line. BBOB responded well and were immediately back on top, they re-took the lead in the 21st minute from a Ben Middleditch shot from the right hand side of the area, which found its way into the bottom corner of the Southwick goal after taking a wicked deflection off a defender. Shortly after this Jac Edwards found Seb Stall in space on the edge of the Southwick area and his first time effort sailed past the keeper who was at full stretch to make it 3-1.
BBOB began to settle into the game and their confidence was growing, unfortunately they became too settled and were at times a bit too casual in the defensive areas. A slightly under hit back pass to keeper Mike Fielding was followed by a heavy first touch which could have easily fell to the Southwick attacker but a sublime step over and turn just outside the penalty area by the keeper followed by a pass out to the BBOB right back appeared to received biggest cheer of the day!
Shortly after this BBOB conceded again from a goal mouth scramble, BBOB failed to clear their lines and after two close range attempts on goal which were both saved by Mike Fielding, the ball feel very kindly to a Southwick forward to strike from close range.
Once again, BBOB responded strongly and two minutes later extended their lead with a long range effort from Ben Middleditch which looked curiously like a miss-hit cross rather than a miss-hit shot!
In the 36th Minute a BBOB corner bounced into the Southwick Penalty box where Andy Wilson pounced with a half-volley rocketing the ball into the opposition's net from a tight angle.
Half time BBOB 5 Southwick 2
Midfielder Howard Lloyd, suffering from illness, was replaced at half time by Piotr Czernicki-Sochal and within five minutes of the re-start manager Steve Maskell made a further two changes. Ben Middleditch was replaced at right midfield by Seb Woolf and Seb Stall was replaced by Christian Michael.
BBOB got their sixth goal in the 65th minute. Jac Edwards beat two defenders with a mazey run down the right into the box, his low hit cross found Michael McMahon (titch) in the six yard box who buried his effort at the second time of asking after his first effort deflected back to him off a defender.
Despite maximum effort from BBOB, the second half did not flow as well as the first, the opposition had changed their formation, deciding to pack the midfield, which was a huge compliment to BBOB and to the way they had been playing and controlling the game throughout so far.
Further chances to increase the lead did come, substitute Christian Michael created some space on the edge of the Southwick area and fired a low effort across the goal and just past the post. Piotr Czernicki-Sochal was unlucky with a 20 yard effort which also just whistled past the post following a BBOB corner
Maro Han had the best chance to score when he was put through on goal but his close range effort was well saved by the Southwick Rangers replacement keeper.
Late in the game Southwick had a possible penalty shout when Jac Edwards appeared to trip a Southwick Rangers forward just inside the area. Despite the pleas from every Southwick Rangers player the referee didn't react at all other than giving a goal kick to BBOB.
Shortly after this the final whistle went and BBOB had won their first league game since the last game of season 2013/14.
Paul Barton
