Lurgan BBOB made the short trip to play derby rivals Hill Street, with both teams missing some players, and in an eventful but quite even game of football it was the hosts who proved more clinical as they emerged 3-1 winners.

BBOB lost Andi Heasley with a serious knee injury in the first few minutes. Within a minute of the restart as BBOB reshaped their defence, they conceded a clinically struck goal by Hill Street striker Ian Penny from just inside the left side of BBOB’s penalty area as a young defender on the far side played Penny onside. BBOB then regrouped with Stephen and Paul Heasley taking charge of the back line to allow team mates Mark Russell, Derek Wilson and Glenn Emerson to play some decent football through midfield and create chances. A glorious chance fell to BBOB’s Neil Anderson well inside the left side of the penalty area but he fired just wide with his strike. On eighteen minutes Hill Street lost the impressive Stephen McClelland with a serious knee injury also. BBOB would wish both Andi and Stephen speedy recoveries. When the match eventually restarted it was Hill Street who settled quicker. The hosts won a dubious penalty kick for a challenge on the edge of the area but perhaps justice was done as BBOB goalkeeper Aaron McGlade dived full length to his left to save Penny’s spot kick. However, shortly after Hill Street did double their lead when their attacker collected the ball unchallenged on the left side of BBOB’s penalty area and fired a low drive that goalkeeper McGlade tried to tip away only for it to land at the feet of the Hill Street striker who converted from close range. Russell, Wilson and Emerson then picked up the BBOB play again from midfield and soon striker Bryan Archer was put through but Hill Street goalkeeper Matthew Clarke saved well as Archer did well to get his shot in with his opponents chasing him down. Later Archer had an even better chance as he burst through and decided to round the goalkeeper but then unfortunately stumbled with a goal begging. In the latter part of the half BBOB also lost Glenn Emerson to a hamstring injury as Hill Street entered half time 2-0 ahead.

Again BBOB played good football in the second half with goalkeeper McGlade and the Heasley brothers giving a sound platform at the back for Russell and Wilson to shine in midfield and Archer full of running in attack. Both teams created a few chances with BBOB ahead in the corner kick count in the second half, which probably showed how the visitors edged the play but they just missed out on converting. BBOB also suffered another blow when lively striker Archer had to be replaced midway through the second half. Late in the half it was Hill Street who extended their lead when the ball fell to Gareth Wright on the edge of the penalty area and he scored with a fine drive, in off the post. BBOB pressed again and soon got a reward when Alan Dowey played a short corner kick to Russell on the left who then deservedly scored with a dipping strike from the left edge of the penalty area. Late on BBOB’s Alex Wright headed on well for Anderson who then struck his shot at goalkeeper Clarke from a few yards out as the match ended at 3-1 to Hill Street.

BBOB will be disappointed with this result and their missed opportunities in front of goal, which they will need to improve on, but they should be encouraged by their general play.

BBOB: Aaron McGlade, Matthew Greer, Alan Dowey, Matthew Kennedy, Stephen Heasley, Andi Heasley*, Derek Wilson (c), MARK RUSSELL, Bryan Archer***, Neil Anderson, Glenn Emerson**. Subs: Alex Wright***, Philip Cowan**, Paul Heasley*, Mervyn Wheatley, Maurice Johnston.

Date: September 12, 2009     Venue: Lurgan Park