With a lot of teams enjoying the extra weeks rest due to the international break Breachwoods players were less fortunate as Fildes had them in training Monday morning after their laboured 2-1 victory over the Outsiders. In truth they should have won more comfortably, the players will know this and Fildes will be keen to build on the positives from the game. This weekend’s fixture will see Breachwood face a much harder task in an away trip to MBDA who sit on top of the table and haven’t lost a game at home for almost two seasons. After two fairly comfortable routine victories from their opening fixtures MBDA should be expecting the same on Sunday although Breachwood should feel positive about getting a result having given a fairly good account of themselves against MBDA last season with a weak side and competing with MBDA in the first half of a friendly in pre-season. Sadly that day injuries and a shocking second half performance from James Mason ensured MBDA ran out comfortable winners. Missing this week would be Rich Wharton still recovering from that boot throwing incident, Ricky Hill whose shins splints have shown no sign of healing and AJ who the whole team would like to congratulate on celebrating his Bar Mitzvah on Sunday. The club have kindly allowed him to miss this week’s game for such an occasion.
Tuesday night saw a rather dull and disappointing performance from England in Ukraine, Fildes should look to use this to get the best out of his players as surely there is nothing better in the current England squad and if anyone can put in some solid, consistent performances who knows maybe Breachwood could finally end their 63 year wait to get a player in the England squad. The last was veteran Graham French who at the age of 33 represented England in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Fildes will be absent from the dug out this week as he serves a one game suspension for openly criticising the referee in Sundays post match interview, despite the victory he was still annoyed about the fact the ref didn’t award a penalty for the foul on Ollie Mason in the first half claiming had Breachwood been one of the so called ‘bigger teams’ then the penalty would have most definitely been given. In rather unusual circumstances he handed the reins to Richard Taaffe, maybe he thought the responsibility would finally make Taaffe realise how big the club is and that trying to force a move away is a stupid idea.
Thursday saw the close of the transfer window. For Breachwood it brought down the curtain on an eventful summer in the transfer market, however their summer flirtation with Alex Farr was brought to an abrupt end when on Tuesday evening it was announced he had signed a new contract with his current club that would see him there until at least the end of the season. Whether Breachwood look at approaching him again in the January window is not yet decided. The players Breachwood managed to sign should put them in great shape for the task ahead of them this season; they finally managed to get hold of the world-class keeper they have been missing since Gardner’s retirement 5 years ago. The addition of Robbie Whytock and Pagey in defence should finally add some solidarity to Breachwoods defence. On the other hand however many opposing teams will surely miss Growler and his ability to let them back in to games, he consistently chipped in with 10 own goals a season although Breachwood have James Mason who will surely do his utmost to ensure opposing teams don’t miss Growlers influence that much (note his 2nd half performance against MBDA). Ricky Hill and Rich Wharton have both returned from loan spells at Preston FC and Brisbane Roar respectively and have excelled thanks to a solid run of games. Michael McNeilly has been promoted from the youth academy and although he won’t be able to feature in away games due to travel sickness the Breachwood hierarchy have high hopes for him this season. In Midfield Robbie Pearson has returned to the club after a two year absence in which he ran marathons in every major city in the world and had a brief spell at Preston FC, but he has done enough in pre season to earn a contract with The Lions. Finally up front Breachwood have added veteran lothario and striker Roger Pearson and a last minute free transfer of the exciting Matt Kenneford who was released from his contract at Barton Rovers due to behavioural problems.
Sunday Morning arrived and with the sun beaming down there was a real positive buzz around the stadium as MBDA players were preparing to be immortalised with a record breaking victory that would establish them as one of the greatest ever Sunday league sides in Hertfordshire. Breachwood sprung a surprise by recalling the apparently injured Ricky Hill; he was thrown into the centre of defence alongside Robbie W with J Mason and Pagey as the full backs. Lions opted for 5 in midfield DJ, DD and Turk in the centre of the park, Ben Moulding came in on the left wing making his debut for Breachwood after his £18million mid week transfer, Canham came in on the right wing to replace Charlie surely a tactical decision as Charlie had made a positive start to the season. Ollie Mason kept his place upfront.
Breachwood started the game extremely positively, they dominated the opening exchanges and really took MBDA by surprise. Breachwood were first to every ball and really looked up for the game, the breakthrough came after only 13minutes when DJ carved open the defence with a wonderfully weighted through ball to Moulding who latched on the end of it and fired past the onrushing keeper. Breachwood deserved their lead and the players were delighted, MBDA looked shaken and had no response for Breachwoods style of play mixing up their nice short passing game with the occasional ball over the top which was really putting MBDA under pressure. Breachwood continued to dominate and looked to add to their lead, however slowly MBDA started to get back into the game and against the run of play they were offered a lifeline when Pagey was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Stand in manager Taaffe was clearly furious with the decision and rightly so, Breachwood felt it was very harsh indeed. The penalty was struck well and was heading for the top corner but in form goalkeeper Blobby managed to pull off a magnificent save at full stretch, adding to his already hero status with the Breachwood fans after his MOM performance last week. With 10minutes to go to half time Breachwood allowed MBDA to get a grip on the game and they dominated and looked dangerous but Breachwoods excellent defensive line was equal to everything they threw at them.
Taaffe who was very animated in his technical area was pulling the strings showing his passion and knowledge for the game. One can only imagine his half time team talk. Breachwood came out for the second half and unfortunately, looking like a different team, they seemed happy to rest on their laurels and try and defend their one nil lead. Had they carried on with the same momentum as the first half Breachwood may well have put the game to bed. Unfortunately for the Lions MBDA were starting to dominate the game but again Blobby was in inspired form pulling off some excellent saves. Halfway into the second half Breachwood were victims of a delightful bit of magic as the MBDA striker received the ball to his feet and with his back to goal managed to turn on a sixpence and volley the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Blobby was rooted to the spot and had no chance such was the quality of the finish. MBDA knew they had Breachwood where they wanted them now and were playing some of the classy football that had taken them to the top of the league. Breachwood remained resilient and defended superbly as team. Breachwood somehow managed to find a new lease of life and got back to how they were playing earlier in the game, this was helped by the introduction of debutant Matt Kenneford who replaced the hard working Sam Canham. Ollie Mason moved out to the wing allowing Matt to lead the line. Breachwood created a gilt-edged chance after Kenneford crossed for Moulding who looked destined to put Breachwood back in the lead unfortunately the MBDA keeper managed to pull off a top drawer save. Moments later after a surging forward run and through ball from James Mason, his sibling Ollie had a one on one with the keeper but the goalie came out on top again. Breachwood finally got the lead they deserved when Kenneford latched on to a long ball from Turk. The super sub coolly rounded the keeper and slotted home – the fans loved him already.
Breachwood were where they deserved to be and looked certain to claim one of the biggest upsets in modern time. MBDA piled the pressure on knowing they had to win the game but again Breachwood were organised as a team and kept chances to a minimum. With 10 minutes to go MBDA pulled a goal back after some silky play from their attacking left back. Lions felt the goal was clearly offside but the Breachwood linesman refused to give it. Some say he was sighted stuffing his face with Space Raiders and Freddo’s instead of watching the game but the decision stood and the game was tied up at two apiece. MBDA celebrated with a hint of relief knowing that this was a huge let off and with 10 minutes remaining felt that a point was the minimum they would get out of this game. Unfortunately for them Breachwood had other ideas, many lesser teams would have crumbled after twice giving away the lead away against such a formidable side, but the Breachwood players rallied around and showed real belief and determination to go on and win the game, something they haven’t shown for a long time! The Lions pushed on and after Turk won the ball in the middle of the park, DJ threaded a ball through to new striker Kenneford who raced passed Frankie Cocozza in the MBDA defence and slotted home with aplomb! The 6 members of the renowned Breachwood away firm went wild and MBDA couldn’t believe what was happening as they found themselves behind yet again. Breachwood were forced into one final change bringing on Charlie Page for the injured battle-axe Robbie Whytock. Turk moved to centre back and Charlie played the final 5 minutes on the right wing. Breachwood managed to hold out in the dying minutes with no major scares. The final whistle was greeted with a huge cheer from the away stand whilst MBDA were booed off the pitch by their home fans!
The Breachwood players stayed on the pitch to go and thank their fans for their support. Breachwood can be extremely pleased with their performance; they showed they are more than capable of mixing it with the best showed real strength and character as a team. The first half was one of Breachwoods best performances in a long time, the second half was more laboured but Breachwood showed real togetherness and team spirit to get the result they deserved.
Man of the Match was a difficult decision as everyone played their part. New signing Matt Kenneford came very close after an inspired half hour, but for the second week in a row the award went to BFG Blobby, he was yet again the real stand out performer saving a penalty, commanding his area and pulling off 4 or 5 world class saves.
Breachwood face long serving Premiership outfit Broadhall next week at home.
