There was more late drama again at a freezing BACA Thursday as two teams fought tooth and nail to claim the victory.In the end they had to be content to share the spoils as a scintillating hatrick from midfield workhorse White took Bibs to the bring of victory, only for Brenchley to snatch victory for them and give his mate Mitchell a draw at least.
It was fairly even to begin with, with Skins probably edging chances. White's evening got off to a poor start when he let a Green effort in at his near post when the young lad was running out of pitch tight in the by-line. The bearded White made a mends so after with a run right at the heart of the Skins defence as they backed off. White needed no second invitation to pull the trigger and his shot found the bottom corner. At this point unbeaten young Josh Mitchell was showing signs of distress after an early challenge. X-Ray's on Friday later confirmed shoulder damage but the young lion continued, trying his hardest to secure that elusive win for his father. Greenwood put the Skins back in front as he finished powerfully from outside the area. 2-1 at half time but not huge amounts in it. The second half started at break neck pace with challenges flying in. Bibs were putting the pressure on now and Curry equalised via a big deflection off Mitchell for 2-2. Within 90 seconds the game had turned around when White arrived unmarked at the back post to steer the ball home. Skins were rattled but they were still getting chances. Virgo inexplicably passed the ball out to Brench but the little tiddler redeemed himself with a fine save spreading his tiny frame to deny the top goalscorer. Greenwood had another great chance but screwed his shot wide when 1-1. Brenchley looking for his first of the night forced a brilliant but unorthodox save from the Hat who saved with his feet. 'Dangerous' Dan Russell was getting fired up and after being denied two free kicks in short succession he lunged in with a poor challenge on Green which was born of frustration. Ridley fired up by his ongoing battle with Curry arrived at the back post and the 50 year old finished well to tie it up with 4 minutes of normal time remaining. Both teams agreed to play an additional 5 minutes to avoid the draw. piled forward and when the ball hit the bar White scrambled the ball home past a despairing Bahrami in goal. Surely Bibs would shut up shop and give Prosser a much needed win, but no they pushed forward again and when the ball broke to Greenwood he played in Eason who found Green who's shot looked like it was going in but Brench was on hand just in case to deflect home. 4-4 and the next group of lads were making there way onto the pitch so the game was declared a draw. MOTM - Neil White - A virtuoso performance from the midfielder who was a constant menace throughout and got through work aplenty in the midfield.
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There were African tears of joy in Zimbabwe this week but there were tears of despair for Ivorians up and down the country and Jason was denied his first win since dooms day when Greenwood rifled home to the break the hearts of a nation.
In a thrilling encounter Skins made the early running after Beebee had a shot narrowly go wide early doors for bibs. With Tricker keeping time and starting in goal he had very little to do and the inexperienced skins team were knocking it around with aplomb in midfield. Prosser, Hunt & Baker controlling the game in the early stages. They went 1-0 up when Eason toe poked past Greenwood with the Hat lurking the back post. It soon was 2-0 this time Virgo saved an initial shot with his feet but Skins through Hunt (I think) doubled their lead. Russell was heavily involved and they had the runners with him and Josh showing pace and energy as the experienced line up struggled to cope. Some poor shooting from both sides saw all 3 balls go out of play in the first 20 minutes and a brief stop was required to fetch the match balls. Hunt made an excellent save to deny Greenwood as bibs for all their huffing and puffing weren't creating too many chances. As the game neared half time they were given a lifeline when Beebee and Bahrami exchanged passes and Beebee fired home to make it 2-1. Bibs came out resurgent and (bald) turned and shot well after being fed by Greenwood. 2-2 and Bibs were rampant and laying siege to the Skins goal. Mitchell so confident earlier was now urging his team to make challenges in the middle of the park as they began to implode. From out of nowhere though young Josh Mitchell broke and fed Tricker who from 3 yards out missed an almost open goal. Bibs changed their keeper with Wilson taking his stint in goal and it wasn't long before the nervous custodian was picking the ball out of the net when Russell fired home after being given space to shoot. Moments later Wilson made a great stop to keep the deficit to one. Virgo was now rampaging forward from the back like a pest and he scored the equaliser late in the game to break Mitchell hearts. It could have been worse as in the final second of normal time Virgo again down the right fed Greenwood and somehow The Hat made an unbelievable point blank save. 3-3 and with no one taking the pitch we went into ten minutes extra time. Bibs were throwing the kitchen sink with long throws galore and an almighty scramble ensued as both teams looked to win. Skins broke and when Hunt fed Russell he side footed home for 4-3 and with surely minutes remaining Skins and Mitchell could claim a victory. However they were denied when Bibs throwing bodies forward kept the pressure up and when Skins failed to clear the ball fell to Greenwood who made no mistake by firing home in the bottom corner. Mitchell had one last free kick but hacked the ball out of play. So 4-4 and a good game. MOTM - TBC Wilson has 3 votes Prosser has 2 Josh has 2 and Russell has 1 A withdrawal at the 11th hour meant Wes Eason swapping his pyjamas for football kit and catching a last minute lift with Iranian goal getter Bahrami after last weeks MOTM Green pulled out.
With the Whitehawk players in awe as the superstars turned up they conveniently fucked off and let the F&O legends strut their stuff. With Eason forgetting his magic injury time watch it was left to Ridley to keep time with 9 minutes per keeping allowing for a 72 minute match. The game started fairly evenly but Skins missed two golden one one ones. First Steve (bald) fired wide and then it was (bald's) unbelievable flick which put the Hat through but his effort was saved. Bibs were having decent possession but not testing the Skins keeper too regularly. A skewed Mitchell clearance resulted in his own team mate Beebee mocking the Ivorian by saying "no wonder you haven't won since August Jay" The deadlock was broken when for once Skins couldn't clear their lines and the ball fell invitingly for Beebee who rifled home past Ridley for the opening goal. At this moment Jason was on course for his first win since playing at Waterhall. It stayed this way for a lengthy period as the game was turning into a tight affair with some meaty challenges going in from both sides. Skins were having a decent spell and winning a few corners, one of which resulted in a long throw which Wilson hurled into the box and Brenchley rose above Mitchell to head powerfully into the bottom corner. Only a minute later and the Hat tapped home for 2-1 and out of nowhere the game had turned on it's head and it was Skins that led 2-1 at the interval. Bibs were now struggling and when (bald) made it 3-1 with a finish whilst getting chopped down from Virgo it looked like a long night for Bibs. They responded well and Beebee saw a great effort smash the post as they looked to cut the lead. With bibs piling on the pressure they left gaps at the back and a long ball up to Brenchley was collected by the front man who with one movement killed the ball and turned Virgo before calmly slotting home for 4-1. Surely game over but Bibs did have a glimmer when Tricker who was crossing for Greenwood ended up scoring himself when his ball in teased and eluded everyone before nestling in the bottom corner past the Hat. 4-2 and a rallying cry from Greenwood which within seconds was a cry of despair as Wilson waltzed up field before finishing well for 5-2 and with that surely the game was up. Skins were now revelling in the space and were playing some decent football and a fine move resulted in the Hat scoring his second for 6-2. Bibs kept trying and when Bahrami had the goal at his mercy from 3 yards he fired over the BACA fence with the ball landing somewhere near Bear Road. A frustrating evening for Bibs players and fans but great front play from the Hat, Bald & Brench with some well organised defending by the two golden oldies at the back. MOTM - Mark Brenchley - Had a great game throughout and with two goals plus plenty of energy in midfield he takes the Capri Sun MOTM just ahead of Bald & Wilson. With Wes away this week and frantically trying to find a decent stream of the game F&O kicked off in brisk but pleasant conditions promptly at 19:45.
Skins started off well passing around with Greenwood and Brench orchestrating play and Bibs content for them to have the ball in their own half. Bibs trying out an new flat two formation described by Wilson looking solid at the back. The sultan of summer had the first real chance with a toe punt from distance which stung Trickers hands. Soon after Bibs took the lead when White drove a rasping shoot into the back of the net giving Tricker no chance (but F&O reporters after the game heard Ridley saying the keeper should have saved that) Bibs were on top now and creating some good chances as Brench was heard shouting we have to have more than one at the back and how true he was as soon after Bahrami steered a header into the back of the net from 5 yards. Skins managed to create a great opportunity from a corner when the ball fell to Greenwood on the edge of the box and his powerful shot was heading for for the bottom corner but was stopped on the line by his own player Voss as Bibs hacked clear. With the end of the first half moments away a slick Bibs attacked lead by Curry and White lead to a shot from Beebee that hit the cross bar and Ridley quickly blew the whistle for half time. Bibs new flat two formation was looking good and with Wilson having a great game at the back and organising the remaining keeper changes Bibs went looking for a third goal which surely would have killed the game off. Bibs started the second half on top again and created some good chances with Beebee hitting the post this time but Skins had a great opportunities when the ball fell to Brench on the edge of the box but only a fantastic sliding challenge by Phil denied the F&O leading goal scorer. With 30 mins left Mitchell went in goal which required a rejig with that flat two formation at the back for Bibs they went on the attack again and had another opportunity this time when the balk fell for Hunt who pulled his shot just wide. Soon after skins were on the score sheet when Bibs got caught try to play out from the back lost possession and Greenwood smashed home, Brench had a chance when he was one on one with Mitchell who made a block and then he had a half chance with a snap shot when he just shot wide on a quick(ish) turn. Then something odd happened Ridley told Virgo to go up top after the next keeper change which turned out to be a master stroke as he swept the ball home after a swift attack, a great shout of relief went up (mostly from Kev) The final keeper change and both Marks now in goal for their respective teams, both teams going for it now and Beebee with what surly would have been a contender for goal of the season danced his way through some tackles and hit a bullet of a shot that ricocheted off the post and crossbar. With only minutes left Brench launched a long ball up top and when Mitchell wasn't able to win the duel with Greenwood Bibs found them selves two on one and Green struck home to give Skins the lead. Into injury time now and Bibs throwing everything at the Skins goal now and when Curry go to the byline the wily Ridley looked to bring down Curry but no foul was given and with that went Bibs chance of finding a deserved equaliser. Final score Skins 3 - Bibs 2 A really good game last night, good performances from Wilson, Curry and White for the Bibs and Greenwood for Skins MOTM - Matt Green A great second half performance creating the assist for Virgo and hitting the winner. "Wes have you brought the lube?" Mark Brenchley 7:35 Thursday 2nd November BACA
No lube required tonight as no ones arse hold took a pounding with both sides playing their part in a fiercely contested match. With an earlier kick off of 7:45 allowing for Deen's late show we were underway and both sides were looking evenly matched with little to choose between them. Ridley looking to atone for last weeks air shot, must have thought he was in for another horror night only two days past Halloween. It was more trick than treat when the balding veteran took an inadvertent touch with his right foot before air kicking again and falling over. Cue howls of laughter from the other 15 players. Not to be deterred he was soon back in the action down the left but ran the ball out of play before the predictable expletives ensued. Skins were looking for Brenchley early doors but he was well marshalled by Mitchell who was having a good start to the game. Chances were at a premium with the Skins team working hard to deny space to bibs. Deen at last wriggled free of some challenges and his superb shot smashed the under side of the cross bar and bounced to safety as Skins had their first real let off. It took 28 minutes for the deadlock to be broken and it was the free scoring Tricker who added to his BACA account as he slipped two challenges before rifling past Virgo in goal. Bibs tried to hit back and Josh made a couple of decent saves but from nowhere Skins went into the break two nil up when Wilson fed Brenchley who was afforded the freedom of Falmer and he finished powerfully through Deen in goal for 2-0. Bibs had a good spell just before half time as they passed and probed the Skins back line and it was unfortunate for them the half time whistle stopped their momentum. The second half didn't start to well for Bibs but they were given an Iranian lifeline when Bahrami deflected a Mitchell centre in past Brenchley for 2-1. Skins should have regained their two goal lead when Mitchell & Deen gave the ball away from a goal kick. Brenchley rounded his mate in goal but ran out of pitch, he cut back and laid in Tricker who seemed certain to score but he hit the side netting and a huge relief for bibs fans and up and down the country. That miss was compounded when a long throw by Hunt was glanced on by the curly hair of Beebee beating Dallinger in goal to mark his 100th cap. The game had turned around and when the Iranian Mark Hateley had a chance for his second it could have been 3-2 but he fired well over from 10 yards. Bibs felt they had a penalty when the veteran Ridley decided to mount Hunt and aggressively maul a lad half his age. The appeals for a penalty were waived away and Skins broke at the other end. Ridley was in the thick of it again when in goal and a vicious strike hit the F&O treasurer in the solar-plexus laying him out and requiring medical treatment. Skins won it when Bibs lost the ball just inside their own half and Skins broke through White wide right who centred for Brenchley who gobbled up the chance for 3-2. Skins were desperate to hold on and queue Ridley with his kill the clock antics. First suggesting a replacement ball was flat and then looking every bit his 50 years of age as he gingerly hobbled to retrieve the ball in scenes reminiscent of Michael Watsons last mile at the London Marathon. Bibs were desperate now and a few long range effort were repelled by blocks as the Skins defence stood firm and in the final action of the match Eason wide right put in an inviting centre which eluded everyone and the game was over. MOTM - John Curry - Tremendous energy as always but plenty of nice touches too. Combining work rate and technique. Wilson who was second in the votes had a great game especially as he carried Dallinger through most of it. Ridley deserves some praise to for responding to the early air kick and producing time wasting and play acting that any old pro would have been proud of. "I personally think we will get a beating looking at the balance of your team" A.Bahrami Wednesday 25th October 22:10
Skins produced a brave and balanced performance on Thursday as they fought back from an early set back and should have won if it wasn't for an astonishing miss by the veteran Ridley. With the start delayed waiting for perennial bad boy Deen to show, it was bibs demonstrating great balance in the early stages and when Curry got away down the left hand side his cross come shot ended up going through Virgo who was looking shaky in goal during the early stages. 1-0 bibs and was Bahrami's mid-week prediction coming true? Skins weren't helped when the bearded White kept letting the ball run under his feet so the Iranian marksman (that will getting MI5 interested in our What's App group) took it upon himself to drag his team back into it. Eason lost the ball carelessly and when the ball reached Bahrami he calmly stroked the ball past Tricker for 1-1. Skins were now right in the game and Deen and Hunt were winning the midfield battle whilst Brenchley was in Tony Mowbray mood as he went through anything coming close to his box. It was the Brenchley, Bahrami combination that made it 2-1 as the make shift defender went rampaging forward and finished well for 2-1. Within seconds Greenwood played an inviting ball into the box and flame haired Lamprell was on hand for a tap in for 2-2. The game was still barely 10 minutes old as both teams went full throttle in search of more goals. Late comer Deen's mazy dribble and precise shot from the edge of the box gave Skins the lead again as the goal continued to reign in at BACA. Lamprell showing good foot work was scythed down by Brenchley to give Bibs a free kick which Greenwood trying an innovative play against the wall ultimately came to nothing as Skins broke. Tricker and Eason exchanged passes near the edge of the area and after Deen denied Tricker the first time the onrushing striker made no mistake the second time as he roared with delight after making it 3-3. 6 goals and only 25 minutes played. Half time came 5 minutes later as both teams urgently discussed methods of shoring it up at the back. Whatever was discussed worked as the second half proved a scoreless affair but it wasn't for the want of trying. Brenchley forced (bald) into a fine save as Skins were now dictating play and forced a flurry of corners. At the other end Tricker looked destined to score but Mitchell in goal made a fine save with his feet. Reluctant keeper Lamprell allowed a Brenchley shot to hit the post as he got his angles spot on! The moment of the match happened when Brenchley was one on one with Eason he decided to pass the ball past him and onto Ridley's toes but the old codger completely missed the ball to give bibs the goal kick and a major let off. Minutes later Ridley again with the goal gaping fired high and wide. Whether or not the blow to the bollocks he sustained earlier had an effect we will never know. The game had to be stopped at 9pm with another match due to start which was a shame with the game well poised. Skins looked the more likely to force a winner but maybe it wasn't to be there day with several near misses in the second half. Next week we will look to kick off at 7:40 so arrive for 7:30. MOTM - Tom Hunt - Gaining 4 votes from the panel he was the key man for Skins and ultimately gave them balance. Has the move to an 8pm kick off changed F&O's luck of barely having any rainy games? The dry weather held on for as long as possible but at 8:15 it started to rain and by half time it was pissing down.
The game was nicely set up with Dan 'The Boss' Voss needing a victory to replace Thai at the top and Brench looking to celebrate his 100th cap with a win. In the end Skins spoiled the party with a deserved 5-3 win as the match finished in monsoon like conditions. Skins started the brighter and when Curry robbed Hunt 25 yards from goal he powered forward and struck a nice shot past Virgo in goal for the opener. Bibs were looking for 100 cap man Brenchley but when he did turn Lamprell he missed the target going across the goal. A neat passing move by Skins saw Tricker released in space and his powerful shot it the roof of the net past Ridley to continue his rich vein of scoring form. 2-0 and Bibs weren't getting too much joy. Their best moments came when they released Voss down the right who was finding space on his return. Again Brench managed to beat his marker and this time he made no mistake for 2-1. Bibs quickly levelled when Brench squared across goal for 50 year old Ridley to tap in on the run at the back post. Skins from a commanding position had gifted the game back and it was now pretty even at half time. Greenwood fired Skins back ahead only for Hunt to equalise soon after and we were back tied again at 3-3 with about 20 minutes left. Bibs had a great chance to go ahead for the first time when Brenchley played a 1-2 with Eason and then Hunt before his shot was brilliantly saved by Greenwood with his outstretched right foot. It would have been one of the great F&O goals as bibs ripped through the Skins backline. The fading Voss took his turn in goal just after fellow comedy keeper Lamprell had vacated for the evening. A Greenwood effort from distance somehow went in off a Voss boot and Skins were delighted to be back ahead. Voss did make one reasonable save when another Greenwood rocket was pat-a-caked out by the Albion season ticket holder. Bibs were getting desperate and pushing forward and going long but in truth they made no impact on the Skins goal with Beebee and Bahrami being largely redundant. Virgo made a couple of telling blocks to keep the game in the balance and then he took Amir out with a challenge on half way which left the Iranian hobbling. The game was made save when a 4 on 1 break saw Greenwood lash past Eason for 5-3. MOTM - Greenwood with his 4th MOTM in 6 games takes the award with Beebee in close proximity and Tricker once again having a fine match. |