One Stop Supps 3-2 Birchmoor W Ellis 50,90. Goal 69 Casey 73. Goal 88 An absorbing promotion battle ended in dramatic fashion and inflicted a first league defeat on Birchmoor since the opening day. Both sides probed without really taking the initiative in the first half, Supplements relying on the occasional counter but not forcing the Birchmoor keeper into any meaningful saves, whilst the first real chances fell at the other end on 42 and 43, the first an effort that bobbled wide from the prolific striker Turner, and then a minute later, a tremendous sprawling save , almost Peter Schmeichel-esque as Allen flung himself in front of a point blank effort as Birchmoor upped the tempo in the moments before halftime. If the first half was cagey and tactical, the second was a complete contrast. It burst into life on 50 as a superb through all by Supplements left back Quigley allowed prolific ELLIS to roll his marker , draw the keeper and fire confidently into the far corner to reward The Bees positive start to the second period. One Stop then visibly grew as a unit, beginning to find plenty of spaces with rapid counter attacks leading to half chances for Rowley and Casey, confidence oozing through the side as they sensed the opportunity to stamp home their advantage. As so often happens, if changes arent taken whilst on top, you can be made to pay, and a simple route one goal kick ended up being kept alive courtesy of shoddy headed clearances, and as centre back Wood attempted the nodded back pass, the birchmoor striker nipped in on 69 to lift the ball over keeper Allen to level matters at 1-1. Supplements from the restart refused to accept a draw and within minutes, a fantastic run and drilled strike flew in like an arrow at the near post from CASEY on 73 to restore the lead, capping what was already a fantastic display by the young striker. One Stop sensed blood and moments later, a terrific whipped corner by Gilbert was met with a flying header by Casey that struck the defender on the line and rebounded to safety, and on 79 after winning a free kick wide left, the excellent Jagodic hammered a 30 yard curling effort onto the crossbar as Supplements produced their best form of the season. Tragedy struck on 88 as a corner that was hung up to the back post and bundled in scrappily despite the best efforts on the line of defender Price, and at 2-2, a draw seemed to be the final result. Daniel Gilbert, playing as a stand in defensive midfielder nearly won it on 89 as he was found on the edge of the box in space, but his well controlled drilled effort unfortunately went straight at the keeper. However after a Birchmoor move, a swift break by The Bees saw ELLIS scamper clear from the halfway line, compose himself, draw the keeper, and lift into an empty net to win the game with almost the last kick . Cue wild celebrations in the far corner that involved all players in a huge pile, realising the importance of the late winner. A fantastic game on a beautiful morning, allowed One Stop to leapfrog their opponents and into position to strike for promotion as the season reaches its climax Man of The Match: Entire team. No weak link
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:49:07 +0000