TML 11 - BEFC 1 : Albion Old Boys 1

  • BEFC vs Albion Old Boys

Last game of the season against a pretty much doomed to relegation Old Boys. BEFC also couldn't move up or down position but this was the sayonara game for Capt. Ferdy so everyone was up for a win. Unfortunately this particular weekend was during a freak heat wave where the temperature was up to about 30 degrees and kick off at 14:00.
BEFC are consistently bad in hot weather and it showed.

BEFC starting lively failed to get into a groove with wayward passes and simple mistakes causing frustration as Old Boys didn't really threaten and if things would click goals looked likely. There were a few times on goal where the Albion keeper made some good saves and was confident in collecting crosses and closing down through balls.

BEFC persisted to attack along the flanks but the strategy wasn't paying off in the 4-2-3-1 due to lack of support in numbers to be on the end of crosses on the break.
Eventually against the run of play Albion got the first goal with a cross field long ball into the box that was neither cut out by the defence or collected cleanly by the keeper. It was lucky, and unfortunately BEFC we didn't need Albion defending more.

After half time the heat was really affecting play for both teams causing more inconsistent balls all round and a slow down of pace. BEFC continued to push for the equaliser with some very close chances missed or well kept out by the goalie.

Finally Jorge, who had continually been raiding the left wing got to the byline and cut into the box with BEFC players in support. Possibly due to the heat Albion's left back decided to run Jorge over and a clear penalty was awarded. There was little protest from Albion because with Jorge at the byline, not through on goal there was little need to muscle him over and if you do that in the box it's pretty obvious what the call will be.

Captain Ferdy stepped up to take the penalty and smoothed a beautiful spot kick into the corner.
Now at 1 -1 BEFC continued to push forward wanting to get the win. However as time ran out, as well as hydration and energy levels the match finished a draw.

All in all it was a good game. BEFC felt they could have played better with the passing and movement being off as a team. However Albion played a solid game and the heat is never something BEFC deal with well.