The second game in a row for the Belvedere boys saw them finally playing at home to the inconsistent Lounge Bar side, which are like a box of chocolates as you never know what you’re going get with them. The weather was sunny for a change but the pitch was still wet, boggy and with long patches of grass, not quite as immaculate as the 3G the week before, so the boys knew it was going to be hard to play their usual football game. Not only was the pitch not at its best the boys were also without first team manager Dave Dulston, so captain Greg stepped up to take the high pressure job for the day. Gregg had to deal with his first issue when centre back Andy was ruled out just before kick-off so Dave Sowerby switched to centre back with Ross MacKenzie filling in at right back both having to do a job for the team. This meant Lewis attree came back into the midfield on the left wing with Deano going into the centre.
The game started off a fairly even affair with both sides struggling to adjust to the boggy pitch but then the ball fell to Ashley Hine who was unlucky with an attempt. From this the Belvedere pushed on in search of that opening goal, with Campbell-Bell Skying a chance over the bar from a square ball from Collins and then redeeming himself by forcing the keeper into a save from a curling free kick. Belvedere could sense a goal was close and it was left to a hopeful long ball from colossal Matt Mercer which found Ashley Hine leaving him one on one with the keeper, Hine finished with his trademark coolness and this goal seemed to settle the Belvedere nerves. More battling between the sides saw both teams have half chances and with the referee constantly stopping the game for minor fouls there didn’t seem to be any chance for either team to build a rhythm. The second goal came on the half hour mark with a fine shot hitting the post from Hine and the rebound falling to Gregg to place into the bottom corner going through the keeper’s hands. Then the belvedere now took hold of the game and shortly after the second goal Campbell-Bell latched onto a loose ball in the Lounge box to place in the bottom corner for 3 nil. The Lounge Still knew they were in the game though and stayed strong to reach half time without conceding anymore.
The lounge came out in the second half with a couple of substitutes adding experience and quality to their team. Belvedere knew they still had a game on their hands and had to stay focused but poor marking led to Billy Hutchinson flicking on a cross for their striker to pull a goal back. Changes in the Belve team at half time to formation and the introduction of Colin Judge meant they were sitting back soaking up the pressure and looing to counter attack. More minutes went by of solid defending by the Belvedere back four but the Lounge bar were not easing up and found another goal to bring the scores to 3-2. The Belve held strong and the change in tactics worked with a breakaway on the right wing by Hine who cut inside and crossed with a great ball to Deano who couldn’t help but smash it into the empty net from the six yard box relieving some of the nerves that had been creeping in 4-2. The next goal was something Jake will want to forget in a hurry, a cross come shot found its way towards him but he could only parry the ball into his own net giving the Lounge hope with ten minutes left to play 4-3. With Belvedere now getting deeper and deeper but still managing to counter after every Lounge attack the ball came to Campbell-Bell near the half way line and he picked his moment, sliding a through ball for strike partner Hine to run into the box turning the last defender with ease and then dispatching past the lounge keeper to make it 5-3.
That finally finished the game with only a few minutes remaining.
Today’s game was a great test for the Belve boys on a heavy pitch against a strong team with some useful individuals. Although we came away with the much needed three points manager Dulston will be stressing the need to stay focused when taking the lead in games like today with many big matches coming up we cannot afford to let teams get back into the game and better teams will surely punish us ? !
That being said we can’t take nothing away from the hard work and effort put in by all the lads today some of whom played out of position, great result let’s keep it up and climb that table :-)
