BA got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over American at BP Meadhurst - despite making heavy weather of it for long periods.
With Healy stranded down in Devon, it was left to Brady and Piggott to organise the troops. Lack of defensive personnel left Brady with no option but to line up the team in an unconventional 3-5-2 formation. The back 3 made up of the reliable Gates and Nathan, alongside, LEE DUNN!!! Yes, BA's chocolate-legged veteran making his long awaited comeback from injury! Also making his return from injury was Scott, who put in his usual hard working shift upfront with his brother Steve.
With the defeat against HAL still fresh in their minds, BA started the match determined to make up for past performances. On a difficult surface they tried to make use of the spare man in midfield but were caught out by a hopeful long ball from deep within the American half. Dunn and Gates combining to scramble the ball clear. From the resulting throw in, Gates was only able to get a foot to a flick on and sent the ball looping up into the air. Michael 'Max Branning' Knox misjudged the spin and could only help the ball into the net for a freak, yet desperately poor goal. BA looked rattled and was struggling with the ball over the top - Knox saving well from the lively American forward.
Gradually BA got to grips with the formation and the surface and started to pose a few questions of the American back 4. Chances came and went for Steve, Scott, Ben and Scotch, as BA grew more and more frustrated. Eventually the relentless pressure paid off. Dunn - on his return to action - took matters into his own hands and set off on a mazy run, forcing a good save from the keeper. From the resulting corner, the ball was only half cleared by the American defence. Dunn turned the ball back in and Hogan met it powerfully on the volley from 6 yards. BA kept the pressure on and created another couple of chances but both Scott and Steve were unable to capitalise and BA went in level at the break.
Little had to be said to the boys at half time as they knew that once again they only had themselves to blame for failing to turn their pressure and possession into goals. Into the second half and the pressure on the American goal continued. However once again, BA lacked that little bit of quality in the final third. The breakthrough finally arrived though and came as a result of Scotch, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, as he curled a superb free-kick round the wall from just over 20 yards. He soon doubled his tally moments after the restart with another solo strike. By this time it was a siege on the American goal. Steve was upended in the box and when the referee pointed to the spot, Scotch saw the glory of a hat trick and placed the ball on the spot. Unfortunately though, the portly keeper saved his spot kick.
Brady decided to withdraw Scott after 65 mins and brought on Andy for his debut. He showed some good touches during his 25 minutes on the pitch, linking well with the midfield and Steve. A forth goal finally arrived when Scotch fed Steve and his shot squirmed past the American keeper. Brady introduced himself for the final 15 mins and made a decent contribution, winning a couple of tackles and going close with a couple of powerful strikes. It was his persistence that paid off when chasing a seemingly lost cause into the corner, he got the better of the American right back and swung in an inviting ball into the box for Andy. He took a touch before dispatching the ball into the corner of the net. American players were now desperate for final whistle to go but still BA made chances. Finally the referee put them out of their misery and brought the game to the end.
Despite finally getting the victory our play deserved, we really need to start being more clinical in front of goal. Far too many chances were missed. Dare I say - are we missing Pig?!!! On a positive note, it was good to see Scott back from injury and the return of Dunny... rumour has it though that he is injured again! Surely not!
