BA Midweek extended their excellent winning form to six games, with a fantastic, determined victory at a bright Feltham YOI on Wednesday afternoon.
British Airways started slowly and soon found themselves on the back foot as Phoenix sought an early breakthrough in the opening exchanges. The new look 4-5-1 formation kept the shape very well though and limited the prisoners to a couple of half chances, mainly due to the determination of Twitch, Macca, Pig in an unfamiliar role and debutant Smith accross the back four. Excellent support from Snaps, Ranger, Ben, Scotch and Paul through the middle and another debutant Shields competently leading the line. BA held well and soon started controlling the game and creating chances themselves. Leslie sidefooting against the upright and Pigs inswinging corner also connecting against the post. Phoenix were on the ropes and were also lucky not to concede a penalty when the Referee seemed to be the only person not to see Ranger upended after beating the fullback on the touchline. BA's fine play and true grit were finally rewarded on the stroke of halftime. A quick throw-in down the left flank from Twitch to Hogan, who's return header was swung in deliciously by Twitch for an unmarked Leslie to expertly scissorkick home. 1-0 and fully deserved as the players strolled off at the interval.
'More of the same' seemed to be the basis of Healys managerial halftime talk and the BA boys went out with a firm belief this game would be theirs. Again it was the hosts who started the half the stronger as they pushed for an equalizer. The BA formation remained solid though. BA were finally punished though just past the hour mark as they lapsed concentration for the ony time in the game. A quick attack down the Phoenix left allowed the winger to swing a cross into the unmarked striker to comfortably head into the corner. The 'old' BA would possibly have crumbled at this stage in past seasons but with confidence flowing BA regained the deserved lead after only 3 minutes. Macca playing a low ball to the feet of the tireless Shields who touched into the path of Scotch. A turn of pace saw him delightfully dribble past 4 stationery Phoenix players before firing into the bottom corner. Phoenix were shellshocked and were lucky not to fall further behind when Shields was unlucky not to deservedly get on the scoresheet. Another fabulous BA move down the right being turned over when it seemed harder to miss. Phoenix piled on the pressure again and thought they grabbed an equaliser only to see the striker correctly flagged offside. BA always looked dangerous on the break and it was again a superb team move that effectively killed the game off. The outstanding Ranger again involved as he played the ball wide to Scotch. His pinpoint cross to the far post was met with a textbook volley by Leslie back across the Phoenix goalkeeper into the corner. With little time remaining, Phoenix threw everyone forward and the outstanding BA defence kept firm till the end, even when a last minute melee ended with a tired shot over the bar.
A truly impressive performance from BA, full of commitment, desire and will. Everyone played a part and can rightly feel proud of their efforts from first to last whistle. Outstanding performances from Pig, Twitch, Ranger and Leslie supported excellently by the rest, will give BA added confidence, and the Manager selection headaches, as they prepare for next weeks huge County Cup semi against Hounslow Postal.
