AWAY DAY BLUES AS THE 12 APOSTLES FALL SHORT.

Match report: Edd Thorogood

And so it was to Old Bordenians as the 1's twelve man band looked to spring a surprise victory at their in-form opponents. Due to a multitude of reasons the 1's were significantly under strength with a couple of 2nd XI lads filling the vacancies. Nonetheless the assembled team looked to get a positive result. The result was not the desired one but not through lack of effort or commitment as the '12 Apostles' of BOE worked hard and played fantastically well. The opening exchanges were pretty even with BOE getting in behind the OB's defence first but Thorogood's lack of final control meant a good break came to nothing. Plenty of midfield battle ensued but OB's stole the ball in midfield and with a fast break the opposition striker rounded Bullens and struck into the net, 0-1. However, BOE came roaring back with a good move down the right which saw Fergus Parker 'skin' the left back only to be deposited on his backside. Penalty Stroke. Joey Presto stepped up and after seeing his first attempt saved by the keeper, who had broken his line, positively drilled the retake into the roof of the net and it was 1-1 at the break.

BOE had found some passing fluidity and with very little unnecessary dribbling the 1's looked to be finding some real form and momentum. But just as the team got going OB's broke down the right and a stray ball was ricocheted into the D. A horrible deflection saw Ben Stafford score his first 'goal' of the season, sadly at the wrong end. 2-1 down but BOE still in the game. The lads kept on moving forward and a few stray passes and debatable decisions halted their final entry into the OB's D. As BOE pushed for an equaliser they left themselves a fraction open at the back but Tom Shepherd was having a stormer and held firm. It wasn't until an Opposition short corner went wrong that BOE were undone again. After a mess up the OB's striker improvised to fortuitously locate a back post deflector to make it 3-1. A flurry of disobedience (this week not from BOE I'm happy to report!) from Old Bordenian's saw them down to 8 players for the last 10 minutes and despite 5 short corners BOE could not get the moves right to put OB's under significant pressure. These moments must be capitalised on. Oh what might have been........

3-1 was a harsh result as BOE played incredibly well and at times dominated the game with a patient and disciplined display. They surely will start to pick up points in the next few weeks if this improvement continues. Ashford at home this week and a vital 3 points must be secured.

MOTM - Tom Shepherd
DOD - Ben Stafford