BOE PUSH IT REAL GOOD

BOE welcomed second placed Lewes to College Meadow for what would be a huge game in the fight for promotion from Kent Sussex Regional 2.

From arrival at the Meadow, the boys of the first team knew that this would be a game that could make or break the momentum we have. Focus and determination covered the faces of the guys in the changing room, with a rousing speech from Coach Al, we knew that if we played our game, the result would take care of its self.

The game began as we expected, plenty of possession and positive play from the BOE back four which welcomed Jack Pearson back after an absence playing some silly game with an egg shaped ball.
However, for all the possession and play BOE enjoyed, the back four of Lewes were equal to us and restricted our openings to a few.
Midway through the first half, after a growing frustration from the lack of penetration from BOE, a series of penalty corners were awarded to Lewes. A well worked routine and a 'Elvis - Return to Sender’ deflection sent the Lewes boys ahead.

Lewes took inspiration from this and pressed on up the pitch to look for the second. BOE stayed defiant and after a neat passage of play the ball was picked up by Michael Lawrence who propelled a full pitch aerial between the two Lewes centre backs. This looked to be a lost cause until the ‘Benny Hill Show’ homage began and the Lewes defenders ran into each other. The ball bounced to a gleeful David Lawrence who was left with a one on one with the keeper and emphatically rifled it home. oops. 1-1

Half time was due but not before a defining moment of the season, Michael Lawrence, working hard to chase back as ever, tried to put in a tackle and caught the Lewes winger. The Umpire reached for a Yellow and he trudged off. A shame as he is now £300 down...ouchies.
The half time talk was blunt and to the point. This is where our season is defined...if we want it, we go and take it.

The second half began and BOE went for it, pressure, pressure and more pressure from all corners of the pitch. Jonathan Prosser, Fergus Parker , Nick Boot-Handford and David Lawrence all running themselves to exhaustion up front to limit the Lewes defence to next to nothing.
Half way through the second half a penalty corner was awarded to BOE, Michael Lawrence had been having a personal battle with the outstanding Lewes goalkeeper for most of the afternoon but the last laugh was to be with the talismanic BOE forward. A bullet of a drag flick that the keeper could only get a faint glancing stick to was fired high into the net. 2 - 1.

The final ten minutes were a tough slog for BOE. Lewes were going all out for the equaliser and really piling on the pressure. A succession of Lewes corners came and a truly outstanding save from Alex Fermor-Dunman in goal, away to his right made sure BOE went home with all three points. One for the cameras.

With the final whistle coming not long after, a close, fantastic and well-played game was over. BOE now head to their final game of 2013 with a three point lead over the rest of the league. Looking good.
D.O.D - Michael Lawrence - Light wallet for a few weeks...
M.O.M – Alex Fermor-Dunman - The only thing that looks better than that save is his face.