An outstanding team performance on a dreadful surface set the platform for an excellent away win for BA against rivals Ealing Borough in what proved to be a hard fought match.
In their first game since the Christmas break, BA put on a determined show and thoroughly deserved their victory. A good turn out - along with the return from injury of the influential Gary Brown - gave stand in manager Brady a selection headache. With Healy missing once again, the young man had some tough decisions to make, but he can be pleased with his work as BA secured a vital 3 points in the race to finish in the top half of the LAMFL.
A good pre-match talk in the dressing room left the players in no doubt about the task ahead. Knox kept goal with the back 4 made up of McDonald, Rusher, JJ and new boy Carl. On the flanks, Hogan retained his place, with Dilloway coming in for the missing Scotchford. But it was the middle where Brady was spoilt for choice. He opted for the experienced pairing of Reddings and Brown. Gardiner could consider himself unfortunate to be on the bench but as the match panned out, Brown and Reddings bossed the engine room with T coming on early in the second half to add a pair of fresh legs as BA looked to consolidate. Ranger was pushed up front to partner Scott.
The match started with both sides finding it difficult to settle into any rhythm due to the conditions. The early exchanges were cagey but it was BA who were to make the breakthrough 10mins in. A foul on the edge of the box gave Stevie Reddings the opportunity to test the keeper and from just over 20 yards, he curled a delightful low shot around the wall and just inside the left hand post. It was a great strike and showed the quality that Stevie possesses. BA continued to press forward and the impressive Nathan was giving the full back a torrid time. A 2nd goal arrived 10mins later when the returning Brown swung in a superb corner for JJ to rise above his marker to bullet home a header. 2-0. Brown and Reddings were so dominant in the middle that it allowed Ben and Nathan to play almost as extra forwards. It was wave after wave of attack but BA almost paid the price for failing to take their chances as Ealing Borough broke with speed. Fortunately Knox made the 1st of 2 outstanding saves to deny the lively Ealing striker.
Into the 2nd half and it was BA who were on the back foot once again. Brady warned against complacency but Ealing's tails were up and they swept forward in search of a way back into the game. T replaced the ineffectual Scott. He went into the middle alongside Brown. Ranger switched with Stevie as BA went 4-5-1 in an attempt to regain control of the match. This change seemed to work and allowed them to play on the counter attack. Decent chances were missed by Hogan and Reddings and these almost came back to haunt BA as Knox once again pulled off a tremendous save from the Ealing striker. BA were scrapping for their lives and it was heartening to see all 11 boys pull together to repel the opposition attacks. Carpenter came on in place of the injured Nathan with around 35mins to go as chances continued to come and go for both sides, Hogan squandering the best of these. Carl's hamstring was beginning to prove bothersome and another reshuffle was required when Brady himself, eventually replaced him. He was to play his part in a wonderful team move with 10mins to go. An interchange in the midfield gave Brady possession. He laid the ball back to McDonald who fed JJ. He delivered a pin point cross and T placed a superb header back across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. This goal killed the match but BA were to switch off in the final minutes. Knox was left exposed and despite making another save, the ball rebounded into the Ealing striker's path and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball home. 3-1.
The disappointment of failing to keep the clean sheet that the boys had worked so hard for does not take away from another excellent win. It is a measure of how far we have come this year as this was the kind of game we would have struggled in badly last season. Although it will be a difficult job for Healy to keep the squad happy, competition for places is producing some excellent performances from the team. We need to maintain the commitment, effort and hard work in the coming weeks as the big matches come thick and fast.
