A magnificent effort from Burn FC saw them pull through with one of their best results yet, unfortunately falling to a 2-0 defeat against UBCC FC in the campus league football.
The early exchanges were very even with Burn putting in a huge shift to prevent UBCC from getting any clear-cut chances off in the game. Burn played out well from the back, with Seth Nobes and Adam Gilbert looking to build from the back and putting in huge tackles and blocks. The pressing from the front was solid too, Oscar Frost and Dylan Clarke piling on the pressure and forcing mistakes. Only one clear chance fell to the opposition in the early exchanges, with a 1-on-1 being well pre-empted and saved by myself, Aidan Clarke, in goal. Then controversy struck…
UBCC lost their heads as I controlled the ball inside my D, with them rushing in and picking up the ball claiming a penalty. The rules state the goalkeeper can touch the ball just once inside the D otherwise the opposition get a penalty. Not only is it an unenforced rule by any campus league team, I also only touched the ball once before UBCC picked it up. Handbags ensued, as many individual arguments took place on the pitch before Burn finally got their point across and UBCC agreed to play out from their goalkeeper instead. No doubt desperation was a factor as UBCC were finding no way through before that.
So, the game restarted and UBCC clearly had a chip on their shoulder. They let off shots from everywhere and let our screams roars and kicks of disapproval when they didn’t get their way. Burn got in their heads and even had a chance at the other end, with Sam Rhodes presented with a chance that was well saved. So, at half time, a monumental effort saw the score at 0-0.
Captain Seth Nobes rallied the troops at half time and there was a sense that Burn could get something from the game. Coming out into the second half, Burn had belief and heart to fight their way into it. Ollie Lenga’s driving runs from midfield forced UBCC back and Ella Kipling’s strong tackles stopped attacks from developing. However, with fatigue no doubt playing a part, UBCC got a lot more shots off. Joe Camp and Oli Shaw put his body on the line on numerous occasions with huge blocks, and I don’t think I can count how many saves I made.
With just 10 minutes to go in the game, the breakthrough was made. A low ball across the box found a free man at the back post, and a strong hand from the first-time shot was not enough for me to push it over the bar, with the ball nestling in the top corner. This did not shatter the Burn resolve, as they pushed again to grab a point. While pushing hard, space opened at the other end of the field and a last-minute goal sealed the points for UBCC. Burn created a couple of chances but couldn’t find a breakthrough and the game ended in an agonisingly narrow defeat.
Improvements once again made by Burn FC then, with a much better result this week. They deserved so much more out of the game than the result they got but to keep developing as a side is still the aim, and their first points as a unit can’t be too far away. We go again!
Starting Lineup: Seth Nobes (C), Dylan Clarke (VC), Aidan Clarke (GK), Adam Gilbert, Oscar Frost, Joe Camp.
Substitutes: Sam Rhodes, Ollie Lenga, Ella Kipling, Oli Shaw.
