Match Report – 12.1 – Game Date: 1 August 2015

BMFC 12.1: 3
vs
Penrith R.S.L. FC: 2

BMFC Goal Scorers: Finn, Ash, Liam

Player of the Match: Dom

Match Report: After a week of injuries at training (Aidan rolling his ankle on Tuesday & Jake taking a few knocks on Friday) & the late withdrawal of Eli as too crook to play, we managed to get a team on the pitch

The abacus had been given a work out and the math was that a win would give us an outside shot at the title, hoping for last game slip ups from the two teams above us

Jake was keeper for the whole game and Sam Captain for the day

We started really well, playing attacking football. A few chances were created but no goals. RSL started to get back into the game and had a good 5 minute spell. Our defence was outstanding however – back four of Sam, Millsy, Will and Aidan with Damo playing the defensive midfield role just in front. Jake was unnecessarily clattered collecting a through ball but he’s tough and got up and played the free kick. A few moments later RSL scored – a shot come cross was knocked in at the back post. The goal was disallowed as the scorer was both offside and raised his knee into Jake. Very good referee’ing as the young lad noticed the lineman’s flag, went over and consulted, disallowed the goal, warned the offending player not to do it again otherwise a card was coming and awarded a free kick

Not long after we took the lead. A sublime interchange of passing between Chris on the left, into Ash and a ball in behind the defence for Finn to run onto and score. Finn celebrated with a front flip in front of the home supporters

We doubled the lead just before half time – Ash being played in behind the defence and his pace got him to the ball first to knock in

An excellent half from all players. The coach duly made the boys aware that 2-0 was a dangerous lead and that in the second half we need to keep playing the same and try to get the 3rd

A training move kick off inspired by Aidan’s Dad Sean saw us immediately on the attack – a long ball into the corner for centre forward Liam and Finn to chase down won us a corner. From the corner Chris had a shot from the edge of the box just go wide

We continued on the offensive and from another corner got the third. Ash’s corner floated to the far post, Millsy up from centre back went up but couldn’t quite reach it. Liam was right behind him and a solid header gave the keeper no chance

We could have had two more – Alex sent through on goal had his effort saved for a corner & Ash getting in behind but his last touch gave the keeper a chance to collect

Seemingly now in total control of the game I have my suspicions that the boys colluded and agreed that their coach much prefers a close game. Ten minutes later it was back to 3-2 – much more to our liking. The boys really battled hard for the last five minutes to make sure of the result

Player of the week was awarded to Dom. Dom does a lot of the hard work for the team in centre of midfield – loves a 50/50 challenge and chases everything down. Today he was instrumental in ensuring we had the upper hand in midfield for the majority of the game – well done Dom

That concludes our first regular season on a full sized pitch. The team improved as the season went on, losing only two games all year, remaining undefeated away from home and staying undefeated for nine games in a row. Far more importantly every player has improved individually, seems to have loved training and playing and have developed into a really cohesive team. The boys all have ability but what I love the most is the way they work hard for each other and never give in. It has been great that training ground drills and pointers have been seen in action on match day

Looking forward to the excitement of the semi’s

Photo: Great technique by Millsy to head clear at the heart of defence