After last weeks win Brize Norton were looking to build on the performance and get another positive result. Rob Hook named this strong looking lineup:
Marshall
Abbott, Humm, Western, Puddle ( C )
White, Hook, Farrugia, Rooney, Morgan
Bronk
Subs
Kaczorowski
Lachwicz
Just a few changes from last weeks win; Sollis out injured, Harris unavailable and Clarke wanting to step down to the reserves for their first game of the season, even after his MOM performance. In came Abbott, Humm, Kaczorowski, Lachwicz (wont be spelling those surnames again, will be going with Gregor and Bartek, just a little easier) both Abbott and Humm starting the game. Hook named Puddle as his captain for second game in a row, he was very upset I did not mention this last week so I will be sure to make amends for that this week.
BNFC kicked off on the greasy surface after captain Puddle won the toss, for the first ten minutes Brize played the ball nicely, but no real attempts on goal for either side. With brize on the attack Humm looked to take a quick throw back to Western who got caught in two minds, Chippy's big man up front nicked the ball off him and ran threw on goal, shot powefully just inside area and beat Marshall to his near post. 1-0 Chippy, completely against the run of play.
Minutes later, lots of controversy. With Chipping Norton on the attack Humm looked to clear the ball, it was heading straight for Rooneys head if he hadn't of raised his hands to block the ball his head would have been knocked straight off! Ref blew for a free kick just outside the area. Brize had to begrudgingly accept the decision. The ref indicated to wait for his whistle so Marshall started to set up his wall, unbeknown to him and rest of the team Chippy took the free-kick early and before the whistle, the shot hit the back of the net before anyone had even moved. Ref gave the goal 2-0 Chippy! Brize players were not happy. Puddle was called over to the ref and as captain was told to calm his players down.
Struggling to keep our heads, the game got a little scrappy with no side managing to keep possession, lots of chances were being wasted and BNFC were lacking that composure in front of goal until White got the ball just inside Chippy's half, he played a wonderful cross field ball to Bronk who beat the offside trap and hit a great shot into the corner of the net to bag his first goal of the season, the first of many we hope! 2-1, game on!
2nd half.
Brize pressed and pressed for that 2nd goal, even Rooney was dribbling past players thinking he was Darius Vassell in his prime. Many chances were falling just like the first half, Pav was getting a fair few chances, a lovely whipped cross in by Morgan was headed just over, followed by a free-kick just outside the area where his shot is probably still rising now. Chipping Norton were not offering much and anything they did muster Marshall was sweeping it all up.
Rob Hook looked to try and change the game with a double substitution, off came Farrugia and Abbott and on came Bart and Gregor.
He at the same time decided to go with 3 at the back, everything was being thrown at Chippy. Bartek and Puddle now causing trouble down the left, the ball was crossed into the Chippy penalty area, it deflected off one of their defenders and headed towards the goal and looked to go over the line, but no goal was given. Controversy again!! Into the last 5 minutes, the ball did some pinballling around the defenders and Hook managed to worm his self in on goal and side foot calmly past the keeper. 2-2 a hugely deserved equaliser!!
Now into the final minute where Brize were still pushing for that win, Chippy caught us on the counter, one player rode a few challenges and managed to find himself with just Marshall aka Neuer to beat, the striker slightly miss-controlled it, it was now a foot race between them both, If the striker gets there first, goal and a winner for Chippy, but out came Marshall like a man possessed and makes a great last ditch tackle. Turned out to be last kick of the game. Huge congrats went to Marshall!
Managers MOM goes to Marshall for that brilliant last ditch tackle.
Brize not at their fluid best but still dominated and continued to show a lot of fighting spirit, 2 games in a row now coming from behind and still unbeaten....