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[jez buffin]

Brinscall Red 0 - 1 BAC/EE

The spectators who braved the cold to watch this game - which frankly could have gone either way - were well rewarded for their efforts this afternoon as the boys from both sides treated all to a real delight of junior football.

Battling against a strong wind in the first half Brinscall did well to close BAC down quickly and contain one of the colts leagues top passing sides. A particularly slick passing move by the visitors mid-way through the first half deserved a better finish and could have seen BAC take the lead, but the shot was poked wide. Brinscall fought back and created chances of their own at the other end, perhaps most notably from a volley from about six yards out after a perfectly weighted cross from the right flank. Moments later Brinscall were nearly rewarded after a goal mouth scramble, but somehow the ball stayed out and was finally pinged clear. Later a shot was well blocked by a BAC defender, but it looked for a moment like the ball might still find the back of the net as the deflection looped up and dropped on top of the goal.

In the second half, the home side failed to take full advantage of the wind which was now behind them. BAC came out the stronger, coming close to scoring several times in the first five minutes as the Brinscall players, who had so often been first to the ball in the first half, seemed altogether more pedestrian in the second. Having ridden their luck in the early period after the re-start Brinscall finally began to find their rhythm however and came close with a diving header in to the side netting from close range. BAC themselves came close when a header dropped just over the bar and maybe could have had a penalty but for the fact that that the referee adjudged ball to hand rather than the other way around.

Brinscall had another tense moment after an indirect free kick was awarded inside the Brinscall box after the goal keeper picked up a back pass but the chance came to nothing.

Then with five minutes to go the Brinscall defence failed to deal with an easy high ball but left it instead for a BAC forward who was given a free header, which he deftly steered past the Brincall keeper.

On the second half performance, BAC were probably just good for the win. Brinscall can be pleased with their performance but must learn to concentrate at all times if they are to take points off sides like BAC in the future.