BL Utd 4 v Point-to-Point 0 (1-0)
Line-up: Tom; Paul B, Ryan, Sam, Rich M; Chris P, Dave, Matt (Paddy); Rich C (Jamie C), Paul G, Nick M
MOM: Dave
Dave Scurr, 15th January 2012, Aldrington
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In a rare away encounter, the Preston Parkers were taking on the upteenth league leaders of the campaign, BL UTD, a team yet to lose and scoring for fun in the Junior Division 2. The start of the 2012 campaign saw a debut for Rich McKenzie slotting at right-back, freeing up Dave for a rare stint in a centre-midfield trio completed by Matt Weston and Chris Philips. Paul Goodier was given the nod as sole target man in a compact 4-5-1 formation.
Against a physically strong and efficient opposition, Point were pegged back in their own half for most of the game, struggling to keep hold of a ball that they were, despite expectations, winning more often than not. There was real bite in the way Point's players fought for every ball - they harassed, fought for in the air against players twice their size and even fouled and shouted more than their rattled opponents for the opening 30 minutes. While defensive in nature, Point were disciplined and kept a compact shape which frustrated the league leaders. Unfortunately, the away team lacked the composure and confidence to play any part in possession football, often giving it straight back to their opponents. With a clear pattern emerging and Paul Goodier isolated up-front, BL Utd knew that they would eventually break the deadlock maintaining what they were doing half-decently - keeping the ball. Point eventually conceded just before half-time, one of three goals coming from a set piece or a cross.
With the wind behind them, BL Utd did more of the same in the second half, pinging long balls to their topscorer eager to add to the 27 goals he had already score in half a season. Possibly unable to cope with Ryan's pace, he eventually came off with what looked like a hamstring pull, a moral victory for the yellow and blue back four who defended extremely well considering the incessant wave of attacks. Before Point could hope to rally in the last third of the game, BL1 Utd scored a fortunate goal, soon adding a great third via a well-taken near post header. With Matt Weston coming off, Point dabbled in a 4-4-2 shape as the game opened up. Some good work from Rich Clayton and Paul Goodier freed up Nick Mercer in a dangerous position who attempted an ambitious shot inside their area from a difficult angle. A consolation goal would have been deserved but never came. Dave started seeing more of the ball and made the most of the increasing movement up-front (4 legs good, 2 legs bad), playing some decent through-balls. BL Utd however were a constant threat and completed the job with another excellent goal from their left-winger. With the main job done, they then took to taking out stand-in skipper AngryDave out of the game with a flurry of unnecessary two-footed lunges - the latter used some rare sharpness and trickery to skip nonchalantly between those evil ogres and win another moral defensive victory. Point now need to come up with a counter-attacking weapon and they'll be fine...
