Lurgan BBOB hosted derby rivals Hill Street and after taking a deserved 2-1 lead by halftime BBOB somehow contrived to lose 3-2 by being caught cold for a goal immediately from the restart in the second half and then the same again immediately after a long stoppage for an injury late on.

Hill Street began the match more impressively as BBOB stood off and allowed the Hill Street footballers to play a fine passing game. Thankfully for BBOB, their goalkeeper David Graham and their back four of Matt Greer, Stephen Heasley, Matt Kennedy and Alan Dowey were in top form to keep Hill Street at bay. However, fifteen minutes into the game Hill Street opened the scoring when a corner kick found its way to an unmarked Neil Donaldson on the edge of the penalty area and his scuffed low shot resulted in a goal. BBOB rallied and began to play further up the pitch to compete more with Hill Street, and their opponents started to lose more control of the game as Mark Russell and Derek Wilson began to dictate for BBOB from midfield. Midway through the half, BBOB equalised after good harassment for the ball by Alex Wright on the left saw the ball eventually fall to Neil Anderson who scored with an exquisite low drive from the edge of the penalty area. BBOB continued to attack with the clever movement of Neil Anderson and Jony Russell really becoming a handful for the Hill Street defence. It was no surprise then that BBOB again scored next when Anderson latched onto a superb through ball and chipped past Hill Street goalkeeper Keith Clayton to give BBOB a now deserved 2-1 half time lead.

Hill Street made a superb start to the second half when BBOB were caught cold as Donaldson attacked down BBOB’s right and crossed low for Ian Penny to stab in at the back post for an equalising goal. BBOB responded by upping their play once more and continued to threaten as they had done in the first half. Anderson and Jony Russell again led the line superbly but BBOB should really have gone beyond the Hill Street defenders more in the wide areas despite no lack of willing effort. Wright won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area but then failed to score from close range when Wilson put through a slide rule pass. Then Jony Russell was through on goal for a one on one with the goalkeeper but he strangely squared the ball and effectively lost a great goalscoring opportunity. A goal beckoned later for Heasley from a corner kick when he rose highest under challenge but he just headed over. With ten minutes to go Donaldson broke for Hill Street and he collided on the edge of the penalty area with BBOB goalkeeper Graham who won the ball. Sadly Donaldson suffered a bad knee injury and after a long stoppage he had to be carried off with the well wishes from both teams. Once more BBOB were caught cold at the restart as they conceded another soft goal as Penny completed his brace from close range on the right side. Yet again BBOB raised their game with substitute Neil McConville now winning everything in the middle of the park to start a series of attacks. BBOB launched an onslaught on the Hill Street goal but their opponents stood firm to cling on to a 3-2 win.

BBOB will be disappointed with this result but encouraged by many aspects of their performance, particularly with the fine display and movement of their front two. However, BBOB still lost the game and have only themselves to blame by twice being caught cold for two soft goals, while they also need to be more pressing in wide areas.

BBOB: David Graham, Matthew Greer*, Alan Dowey, Matthew Kennedy, Stephen Heasley**, Philip Cowan, Derek Wilson, Mark Russell (c), NEIL ANDERSON 2, Jonathan Russell, Alex Wright. Subs: Stephen Lutton*, Jason Stokes, Neil McConville**, Maurice Johnston, Aaron McGlade.

Date: March 6, 2010     Venue: Kernan