LAST GASP MIKE BRINGS IT LEVEL

A very windy away day to Maidstone was install for the BOE 1's squad Saturday, a game that on paper should have been a relatively easy three points, but with that slightly expectant mindset - coupled with the weather, a few missed chances and the odd hangover here and there, the afternoon quickly turned into a frantic hard-earned draw and single point in the end.

The boys started brightly enough with some success through the middle of the park and solid distribution through Tom "Sheep" Harden at the back, BOE had the slight added bonus of running with the wind in attack at this end, although tracking back against it was like running up a hill each time. Through some good work from Mike Lawrence and Tom Mayfield down the left flank, BOE were gaining more and more circle entry's and outcomes leading to short corners, but were struggling to convert anything from set plays this week, usually one of the strongest areas of the teams game with the likes of Mike Lawrence and Chris Harden flicking from the top.

The 1st half pressure continued from BOE who despite having most of the ball, were struggling to stamp any authority on the game in midfield with numerous injurys in central positions not helping, and Maidstone took advantage of this on a couple of occasions breaking straight through the middle at pace into the D, only to be stopped by the brilliantly consistent James Craigmyle in goal - who has had a fine run of games as of late, and without him Saturday, BOE could have found themselves down here early on. The boys rallied and exchanged attacks with Maidstone this time in their D with Chris Harden forcing a snapshot on the turn which was fumbled by the Maidstone Keeper, only to be tipped in by the electric James Logan who is red hot at the moment in front of goal and expecting his GB Rio 2016 call up imminently. A good goal to settle some nerves right on the stroke of half time, BOE led at the break.

The 2nd half started much the same as the first with early possession from BOE but still lacking any real quality and cutting edge in building attacking phases and this went on for some period. Credit to Maidstone again who began to find their feet and build some of their own confidence during this time and for a good 15 minutes, BOE were seriously under the Kosh with James Craigmyle being forced into some more great saves. Maidstone did eventually level and then scored again through open play down the right hand side after breaking into the away sides D. BOE dug in again and retaliated with some of their forward pressure which this time was more promising and led to a good break down the left from Stephen Roche who drilled an inviting ball across the Maidstone goal face, just out of reach of James Logan who was only able to force it wide. The game was stretched again and in no time at all - Maidstone were down the away teams end and were handed an extremely dubious short corner call from the umpire after a very clean tackle from Dave "Big Dave" Lawrence was judged to have been a foul. Maidstone capitalized and BOE were staring at just their second defeat this season with just 2 minutes on clock left.

All was not lost however and the league leaders refused to roll over and die. More good work up the right hand side from Rob Hughes (way out of position - twat) led to a short corner and Mike "Balotelli" Lawrence stepped up and made no mistake this time in punishing the home side with a strong flick to the right of the keeper. The game finished 3 all in the end and the spoils were shared. Not the result BOE wanted or expected but not a loss either and they stay three points clear at the top, marching on towards promotion.

Man of the match - James Craigmyle, consistently excellent in goal.

DOD - a scandalous rigged group voting for James Logan. Poor lad.