Men's 1st Team Vs Barford Tigers 4ths

CoBHC Men’s 1sts   1   .v.   2   Barford Tigers 4ths

Goalscorer: Junaid Ali

Both teams were unbeaten before the start of this game and so it promised to be a real top,of the table tussle.

With both teams a little cagey at the start, sounding one another out, it was pretty even for the early period. Then CoB mounted a promising attack which led to Jeevan’s shot on goal being saved by the keeper, Johnny Chong, now at Tigers, but for a  long-time, previous Keeper for the Home Club, albeit known by another name back then. Johnny’s save rebounded out to Junaid who had a simple enough task to open the scoring in favour of the home side.

The Tigers fought back, striving to get back into the game, but for quite a while were kept at bay by a resolute and hardworking defence including goalkeeper.

Both teams pressed forward whenever possible, chances were created by both and shots being put in but dealt with. Eventually, Tigers gained a free hit high up on the left just outside the D. The shot came in but was not dealt with very convincingly, for once, and the ball forced over the iine to level the scores. Nearing the latter stages of the half Tigers edged in front and held the lead until the break, in spite of positive efforts by the Home-side to get back on level terms.

CoB made an eager start to the second half. Some very promising attacks led to many shots on goal that unfortunately went just wide, too high or were well saved by Mr Chong.

Midway through the half CoB were guilty of some wayward passing which helped the Tigers onto the attack. However, generally the CoB defence remained pretty tight and did not afford Tigers any more clear chances to add to their slender lead.

CoB pressed hard in the final stages with several shots going in. Right on the final whistle Cob were awarded a short corner. A well-taken put-out gave skipper Alex a great chance for what would have been a deserved equalizer, but it went into the goal, but it was too high.

On the whole, CoB gave a pretty good account of themselves – showing good team-work and keeping their cool well in the face of one or two trying moments. The team remains in second place in the league, still well placed to continue their challenge in future games.

With a spare week next as a result of Redditch's withdrawal from the league, it gives the team some tiime to recharge their batteries before entertaining Edgbaston 6ths on 4th December