BBOB progressed to the third round of the Sussex Junior Cup with an impressive and hard fought game against a very good team from the East Sussex league. There was very little change from the previous week's starting eleven, other than Jac Edwards returning to the team to replace the injured Lee (Chief) Madigan up front.
Sedlescombe started the game the strongest, despite playing into the wind, they were able to maintain possession well and prevent BBOB from settling. But for all their impressive early possession they were unable to create any clear chances! BBOB began to slowly create chances of their own, the Sedlescombe goalkeeper made an impressive save from close range and shortly after this a well struck BBOB effort from Jac Edwards hit the underside of the cross bar, then the goal line, before it was cleared!
BBOB took the lead in the 22nd minute, Jac Edwards was played into space down the left and his well hit cross was perfectly redirected by the head of John Tibbs into the net. This was an early turning point in the match and BBOB began to take control. The BBOB second came just two minutes later, after some fine pressure on the Sedlescombe right back from Dan Buchanan the ball fell kindly to Jac Edwards, he laid the ball on for Howard Lloyd to fire the ball low and hard into the net!
At this point the weather took a turn for the worse, the game continued in torrential rain and high winds and BBOB took advantage of this in the 36th minute. The ball was only half cleared by the Sedlescombe defence when BBOB right back Paul Barton pounced; he tackled a Rangers player some 30 yards from goal and fired an incredible left foot strike towards the goal. The Rangers' keeper was unable to deal with the wind-assisted and perfectly hit shot and the ball found its way into the net via the underside of the cross bar! You just don't stop those!! Half time 3-0.
Luckily the weather seemed to have calmed down for the start of the second half. Although just two minutes into the half, Sedlescombe broke down the right, and a well hit cross found the head of a Sedlescombe forward , who had been left completely unmarked by right back Paul Barton, the forward made no mistake from 12 yards out. This set up an interesting second half, BBOB spent long spells under pressure, as Rangers attempted to force the game into at least extra time! Their second goal came from a quick counter attack down the right, again, a well struck cross field pass found the same striker in space and after taking a touch he placed his shot just beyond the BBOB keeper!
BBOB must have thought that the equaliser was imminent in the 72nd minute after a Rangers midfielder appeared to have been tripped in the penalty box by BBOB midfielder Michael (Titch) McMahon. The referee correctly judged this to be assimilation by the opposition player and he received a yellow card! This was a lucky break for BBOB and two minutes later a superb half volley from Titch was fired against the cross bar, then Jac Edwards found himself one on one with the keeper but his effort was well saved. Only five minutes later Jac Edwards received the ball from Titch in an almost carbon copy chance to score and make the game more comfortable for BBOB and this time he did, smashing the ball into the net from 20 yards out!
Immediately after this forward John Tibbs was replaced by Fletcher Elliott in the 80th minute and a minute later Gavyn replaced Titch, who had been carrying an 'knock' for the majority of the game, Tom Marshall moved to central midfield as Gavyn played right midfield. The game finished with hardly any incidents after this, apart from some frustrated antics from some of the Rangers' defence which resulted in further yellow cards!
This was a dogged and gritty performance from BBOB in terrible weather conditions; it was a good test for the team against a strong side from another league. BBOB have moved the ball and played better this season but the effort was magnificent all through the squad and BBOB were worthy winners on the day!
After the first ten minutes of the game I never thought I would be writing that (no one could get anywhere near the ball!).
Report by Paul (two games to go!) Barton
