BBOB win in tough derby

LURGAN BBOB II hosted Goodyear II and an enthralling derby unfolded with BBOB having the better of the first half to lead 2-1 by the break, as well as having two goals disallowed and conceding only to a penalty kick.

This was then followed by a very tight second half in which BBOB just about held on to win 2-1 against a very competitive Goodyear.

Goodyear actually made the brighter start in the first few minutes but then BBOB settled down and opened the scoring after ten minutes when Jony Russell passed down the right wing to runner Stephen Lutton who then crossed for the inrushing Philip Moutray to stab home at the back post.

Not long after BBOB doubled their lead when Jony Russell headed on Alex Dowey’s deep free-kick from the right for Moutray again to run on to and poke the ball home ahead of the Goodyear defenders.

Later in the half BBOB twice thought they had extended their lead when they had two goals disallowed on offside decisions with the efforts cancelled of Jony Russell and Moutray. Lutton also came close to extending BBOB’s lead when he latched on to a fine ball down the right from Jony Willis but then just fired wide of the far post.

Before the break Goodyear got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty kick and the spot kick was then duly converted to reduce Goodyear’s deficit to 2-1 at half time.

Credit to Goodyear in the second half, and obviously spurred on by the conversion of their penalty kick lifeline, they began to control the play, which remained the pattern for much of the half.

However, BBOB skipper Willis galvanised a superb performance in the second half from his defensive teammates – Alex Dowey, Jony Adams and Jony Bann – while goalkeeper Seth Mathers was very assured behind.

Goodyear forced BBOB to defend deep and only occasionally did BBOB look threatening on the break.

Late in the game Goodyear were awarded a penalty kick after contact between their attacker and a BBOB defender. However, BBOB goalkeeper Mathers pulled off a fine diving save to ensure that a relieved BBOB in the end held on for a 2-1 victory.

BBOB will be delighted with their win but will not want to let their control of a game slip in future as it did here in the second half, no matter how disheartened they are by refereeing decisions. Although, it must be said that BBOB’s battling characteristics, especially from their defence, were very encouraging in a particularly tough second half.

BBOB II are away to Lurgan Town II for their next fixture.