Bengeo Tigers FC

After an unprecedented run of cancelled matches (today’s game being only the second played of the New Year), this season’s second meeting with Broxbourne was going to prove a tough test of stamina for the boys lacking match fitness. Broxbourne had claimed a 5-1 win at Sele earlier in the season, but would now face a stronger Sumatran squad with the return of Andrea Augello and debut for Kyle Bates.

The Bengeo starting line-up saw Kyle in goal, Zack, Jack, Richard and Ben in defence, midfielders James, Craig, Joe and Rob with a strike duo of Andrea and Tobi up front. Substitutes Tyler, Sam’s Milne and Rider and Calum held in reserve.

From kick-off, Sumatrans looked promising. Early action included a second minute break when left back Zack passed a ball out to James on the wing, who played a well weighted ball forward to Andrea who outpaced his marker to deliver a cracking shot just over the bar, but it was Broxbourne who opened the scoring just minutes later via a free kick on the edge of Bengeo’s penalty box.

End to end play continued including a lovely combination of passes from James and Tobi to Andrea which led to a 9th min shot just wide and a close call in the 12th minute saw Sumatrans in a scramble to clear the ball from their goal line.

A Sumatran attack 7 minutes later saw James deliver a ball to the forwards who combined with a series of quick-thinking goalmouth passes and shots to test Borough’s resilient keeper but it was Robert who followed in to end the attack by netting the equaliser.

Broxbourne took the lead again only minutes later via a corner and may well have stretched the lead still further if Kyle hadn’t palmed a lofty shot over the bar moments before the half time whistle.

The promising first half was soon dented in the second half when Broxbourne increased their lead just 2 minutes into the session and, despite showing plenty of character, resilient defending and tactical substitutions, Sumatrans conceded a soft 47th minute fourth goal which appeared to bobble along the byline and slip into the net and witness Broxbourne deliver an admirable text-book headed cross to sink their fifth 5 minutes from the end.

Although a solid win for Borough, the Sumatrans - hitting the woodwork on three occasions - could take pride that they never showed any intentions of giving up and showed plenty of inspired moves that maybe, on another day, could have yielded more goals.

Special mentions to Sam Rider who remained on the bench on this occasion and to Richard who was awarded Man Of The Match.

Lloyd Adams