BA Midweek did their title credentials no harm with an excellent performance over a spirited Hayes Postal in near perfect conditions at the Concorde Club.
Midweek made a few changes to the line-up that had pasted Immigration seven days earlier. Knox continued in goal, Marchena returned to centre back alongside Sexton with Twitch and Gav making up the back four. Browny resumed his familiar role in the centre of the park with Ranger, Scotchy and Leslie making up the midfield and Piggott and Scott Reddings leading the line. Neither side commanded the game in the early exchanges, Postal applying pressure without really testing BA and Midweek becoming frustrated with the lack of fluidity in their own game. It was just after the halfway mark in the opening 45 where the breakthrough was finally made; a delightful inswinging corner from Scotchford met by the head of Ranger to give Midweek the advantage. Postal seemed a little shellshocked by the goal and BA used this to their advantage to increase the lead just 5 minutes later. Again Scotchford with the assist as his slide rule pass was met by the on-running Piggott to break the offside trap and calmly slot it past the Postal Keeper. Two nil but BA had to work hard to ensure they kept this deficit going in at halftime.
Although pleased, Manager Healy still had a few disgruntled words to say at halftime, which seemed to spur Midweek on as they started the second half in electrifying pace and with fantastic quality. With Hayes under constant pressure the third goal wasn't long in coming. A superb flowing move involving Brown, Ranger and Scotchford down the right allowed the latter to complete his hatrick of assists by finding Leslie unmarked at the far post. His clinical finish into the bottom right corner allowing the Postal keeper no chance. BA almost made it four moments later when Scotchford himself forced the Hayes goalie into a fine save to tip his effort out for a corner. BA stepped off the gas though and allowed Postal back into the game. Sexton, forced off with injury was replaced by Gates before Knox got caught in two minds from a pass back and was caught out as the Postal striker tackled his attempted turn before laying it to the midfielder to tap-in. Postal had their heads up again and continued to pressure the BA back four who held firm although Knox did make up for his earlier mistake with a fine stop from the Postal winger. With Hayes pushing forward, gaps were left at the back and BA finally killed the game off with 5 minutes remaining. A BA counter attack allowed Scotchford to play in Ranger behind the defence, who unselfishly played it across the keeper for substitute Dunn to tap in.
A very impressive result for Midweek and the opening to the second half really was scintillating to watch. BA deserve the plaudits received for this performance and should be confident they are more than capable of winning this league. Focus returns to the Cup though with a tough Quarter Final against Ealing Borough Police.
