This was without doubt the away banker of the day, with Bombers
second from bottom and on a run of seven consecutive defeats, against
the league leaders, unbeaten in 51 games and on a run of 14 consecutive
wins. However, the tables were very much turned, as Bombers completed
what will probably be the shock result of the season.
It was a lively start from Bombers which should have seen them
take an early lead, but their shot went wide of the far post. Blues
countered with a Sam Hall shot which hit the bar. Play went straight
up the other end again where it was Jim Brunt's turn to save well
for Blues.
On twenty minutes, a Bombers' shot cannoned off the bar and fell
kindly for Blues, who broke quickly.
The Bombers' defence then got themselves into a terrible mess and
Blues luckily went one goal up, courtesy
of an own goal.
The Blues defence were never at ease
at all in the entire game, and for those who were watching the game,
it was no surprise when they conceded the equaliser. Blues'
crossbar was once again hit, this time from a fiercely driven free
kick. The defence failed to react quickly enough and David Barker
put away the loose ball.
There was no further scoring in the first period, and Bombers
deservedly went into the interval on level terms.
In the second half, Blues had virtually
all the play, but they couldn't find a way past a resolute Bombers'
defence. When they did breach the defence, they found keeper Josh
Hingley in inspired form, and he made several excellent saves, including
one from the penalty spot. On the two occasions that he was beaten,
defenders came to his rescue and cleared off the line.
Blues kept on pressing in search
of the winner, but on a rare second half Bombers attack, hesitation
in the Blues defence allowed David
Ryles to score Bombers second goal with an excellent finish, with
just eight minutes left.
Blues were now looking to save the
game rather than winning it and they piled on the pressure. However,
this was their downfall, as again they were caught on the break, and
a mistake at the back was punished by David Ryles as he scored
his second well taken goal in the dying seconds of the game. How Blues
could have done with finishing like that.
Blues had more than enough chances
to win the game, but it just wasn't to be their day. Bombers crowded
the midfield and didn't allow Blues any
time on the ball. They failed to counter Bombers tactics throughout,
and this, combined with a small pitch was their undoing. For Bombers,
this was a very spirited effort which greatly belied their lowly league
position.
We always knew that Blues remarkable
unbeaten run would inevitably come to an end sooner or later. Several
times this season they had ridden their luck, which today deserted
them. With the greatest of respect to their victors, this was not
the game that anyone would seriously predict that Blues
would drop a point in, let alone lose!
Our grateful thanks once again go to PROTECH
ELECTRICALS and THE BRITANNIA BUILDING SOCIETY for their generous
sponsorship.