On the back of a poor result and performance the previous week, Lurgan BBOB travelled to a physical Stranmillis team and in quite an open game with several chances at both ends for this Division 1 level BBOB unfortunately suffered a 3-0 loss, conceding two late goals when they were chasing the game, although producing an improved display on the previous week.

It was BBOB who came closest to scoring first when impressive young debutant Matt Greer produced a fine run and pass from the right to the near post for Mark Russell who unfortunately misconnected a few yards from the goal as his effort tamely scooped up into the arms of the goalkeeper. Russell was making a welcome return from a niggling injury but was obviously missing sharpness. Indeed, the same player missed another chance in the first half from about six yards following a good free-kick played in by Stevie Willis. Although BBOB had a couple of excellent first half chances, it was Stranmillis who dominated more in the opening half with a strong wind on their backs and an often over zealous approach. However, the hosts proved quite wasteful at times in the final third, while returning BBOB skipper Paul Heasley also did well to marshal his team mates from the centre-back position. Just when the teams looked to be going in goalless at the break, Stranmillis looped in a free-kick from their right side deep into the opposite side of the penalty area, which was poorly dealt with by BBOB, and the Stranmillis attacker headed home unchallenged from close range to give his team a crucial 1-0 lead at half time.

With the wind in their tails in the second half, BBOB were confident of taking something from the match. The second half was also quite an open affair as the team traded attacks. BBOB’s attacks were usually more controlled. Again Russell missed from about six yards from another good Stevie Willis free-kick. Russell also headed a half chance wide from an Andi Heasley free-kick. BBOB missed a couple of great opportunities too from corner-kicks that went right across the goal and were just begging for a touch. Neil Anderson also went close to scoring when he made a great burst down the left side and then saw a firm shot saved by the outcoming goalkeeper. BBOB introduced the lively William Irvine into the attack in a bid to inject pace and grab an equaliser. At the other end Stranmillis were threatening too, often on the break, and were only denied from extending their lead by the woodwork on a couple of occasions. In the final quarter of the match BBOB conceded a free-kick on their left edge of their penalty area and the Stranmillis taker fired direct into the net on the far side to double his team’s lead. In a bid to get back into the game, BBOB then replaced a defender with attacker Ricky Gault who soon had an opportunity to score, after more good work by Irvine through the middle, but instead Gault fired just wide past the outrushing goalkeeper. Towards the end, Stranmillis broke through the middle of BBOB and rounded the goalkeeper and then scored from close range to seal a 3-0 victory.

BBOB will be disappointed with this result, the nature of the soft goals that they conceded and their wastefulness in front of goal, which they will hope to improve on by increasing their sharpness. The play in between by BBOB, while not perfect, still showed promise at times. BBOB will be hoping for better results in the weeks ahead as some players return and others tune their sharpness.

BBOB: Aaron McGlade, Matthew Greer, Alan Dowey, Philip Allen***, Paul Heasley (c)*, Andi Heasley, Derek Wilson, Steven Willis, Mark Russell**, Neil Anderson, Glenn Emerson. Subs: Matthew Kennedy*, William Irvine**, Bryan Archer, Ricky Gault***, Josh McCullough.

Date: September 5, 2009     Venue: Wallace Park, Lisburn