3rd XI Match Reports

Broomfield 3-3 Old Parmiterians 10/11/2001

Despite a very delayed start, due to Old Parms wrongly turning up at Firs Farm, we started the game very brightly and were on the attack from the first whistle. After numerous chances to take the lead, eventually the breakthrough came about 15 minutes in, when a good cross from Steve Carrington found Rob Walker unmarked in the middle of the box to put us 1 up. We continued to create chance after chance without success (including in one case a completely open goal mouth...no names mentioned!), but eventually, after 10 minutes, it was 2-0 through a well taken goal from Stephen Olujide.

The team then seemed to go to sleep for the next ten minutes, which allowed Old Parms an opportunity to get into the game for the first time. A few corners and shots later and it was suddenly "game on". And just as it looked as if we would make it half time with a two goal cushion a long throw was flicked on, and fell to an unmarked player to score, making it 2-1 at the break.

We started the second half in much the same way as the first, spurning a number of good chances, but the breakthrough came half way through the second period with yet another goal from Stephen Olujide. We continued to attack and very nearly got the fourth when Patrick Bouchard, with some brilliant skill, took on the defence and chipped delightfully over the advancing goalkeeper - only to see his shot come of the post. Stephen Olujide ran in and netted his third from the rebound, but celebrations were short lived, as the referee inexplicably ruled the goal offside.

This turned out to a turning point in the game as Old Parms seemed to get a lift from this good fortune and started to put men forward, playing the long ball up to the forwards. The defence coped well but the second ball was won more often by the Old Parms midfield and with under ten minutes of the game left they were back into contention. With another long ball over the top and despite the player looking a good couple of yards offside, the player duly slotted the ball into the net to make it 3-2.

Despite some real pressure from Old Parms, it looked as if the team would survive to record a first, much needed, win of the season. But with two minutes of the game left, another long throw resulted in a loose ball in the Broomfield penalty area. Unfortunately, just as for their first goal, the ball fell nicely for their forward who struck well into the corner of the net. A cruel blow.

A victory was almost snatched at the death when substitute Graham Rose lobbed the keeper from 20 yards only to see the ball creep just over the bar. Overall, a very good performance for the first seventy five minutes but a real chance of three points was thrown away in the last fifteen.

Team S. Barnes, J. Burdon, D. Hateley, R. Watts, R. Lagos, P.Kirk, J. Wescott, S. Carrington, P. Bouchard, S. Olujide, R. Walker. Subs G. Rose and D. Clarke.