Team | Men’s 1st Team |
Opponent | Beacon 3 |
Date | September 16, 2023 |
Result | Win |
Score | 3 – 2 |
CoB Men’s 1stXI 3-2 Beacon Men’s 3s
Goalscorers: Alex Makepeace, Jeevan Chagger, Abrar Baig
After successive successful promotion campaigns, CoBHC 1sts now find themselves competing in Division SW 6. It should prove to be a more demanding season ahead.
However, facing the team against whom they lost in the heat of couple of weeks ago in a pre-league friendly, nothing was being taken for granted. Still without the anticipated 100% full strength squad, the team set out in confident mood. A promising start was made a and Jeevan went close with an early attempt on goal, Soon afterwards, a promising breakout from defence from defence found Alex surging forward. He gathered the ball and sprinted into the D and to score a brilliant goal to give his team a great early start. Beacon roused themselves into action and created some pressure on the home defence and forcing Neal into action. However, the CoB back line was proving to be quite solid until the visitors forced into a save that was only partially cleared, but the follow up gave Beacon their equaliser.
Then after a fairly-even period of play. CoB were awarded a long corner on the right. The resulting action saw the ball crossed to the left to be met on the full by Jeevan who slammed it home to restore the lead. Further attacking pressure led to action in the D which enabled Abrar to slot home to open-up a two-goal gap.
A 3-1 lead at the break was just reward for the CoB positive attacking play during the first period.
Right from the start of the second half, CoB created more promising attacks. Several chances could and should have added to the lead.
However, Beacon forced their way back into the game, forcing the CoB defence into some solid rear-guard action. Both teams created promising attacking opportunities, with Neal again kept quite busy. With Beacon having the better of the play, a cross from the right caught the CoB defence napping for once for them to reduce the arrears. The final period of the game saw the visitors striving hard for another equaliser, but the CoB defence holding firm to see out the game to clinch a hard-fought win and the first three points of the season.
In the end, a good win, a hard-fought win to create a confident opening to the season. Next week, the team travel to play Droitwich Spa.