| Team | CoB Men’s 1stXI |
| Opponent | Stratford 3 |
| Date | April 5, 2025 |
| Result | Draw |
| Score | 4 – 4 |
Goal Scorers: Zach Jarvis x2, Noor Zaman, Jordan McGuigan
The last league game of the season for both sides. CoB’s visitors being just above them in the league, but unfortunately (for the home side) unable to be overtaken.
However, after having endured a somewhat torrid second half of the season, CoB were keen to finish on a high. So, on a fine sunny spring afternoon, both teams set about their task. After a fairly-even opening period, with both teams flexing their muscles, so to speak, with chances being created and defences called into action, it was the visitors who came closest to opening the scoring. CoB’s keeper, Neal, was called into some early action. Eventually, Stratford did open the scoring with a fairly-soft goal – a ball into the D did not need much effort to help it on its was into the goal. Although the visitors kept up the pressure, CoB were working hard to stay in the game. But it was the visitors who then added to their slender lead with another rather soft goal – rather similar to the first – a ball into the D was not cleared but only needed a gentle hit into the goal. Then, a CoB defensive clearance up field led to a chance for Noor, but a defensive error led to CoB being awarded a penalty flick, from which Zach made no mistake to reduce the arrears. Stratford then went close to restoring their two-goal cushion, but it was a super attack by the home side – led by Sohail’s surging run up field leading to a cross into the D to be met by Noor to level the scores.
Level scores at the break seemed like just reward for both sides’ efforts. The visitors were proving very lively every time they progressed up-field. But a brilliant move, mainly involving Kyle and Zach exchanging passes and making inroads into the opposition final third – led to Kyle’s final pass to Zach who had progressed into the D. Zach’s shot gave the keeper no chance but put CoB’s noses in front. Neal was called upon many times to keep the visitors at bay. Stratford then forced another short corner from which they levelled the scores again. Another good home-side move led to them grabbing the lead again with Jordan on hand for another tap-in before Noor touched the ball beyond the line. With time beginning to run out, CoB were hoping to hold on for a precious three points. However, Stratford had other ideas and their persistent attacking play led to another equalising goal – a aerial ball into the D fell just in front of the keeper whose attempt at kicking clear was met by a visiting forward who got a touch to send the ball into the goal.
So, a final high-scoring draw was the end-product of an entertaining game. The result could have gone either way but for both teams, the season ended with honours even.
Enjoy the summer!!
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