Ealing Borough Police 1 V 3 British Airways Midweek

<p>

An outstanding team performance on a dreadful surface set the platform for an excellent away win for BA against rivals Ealing Borough in what proved to be a hard fought match.&nbsp;

<p>In their first game since the Christmas break, BA put on a determined show and thoroughly deserved their victory.&nbsp; A good turn out - along with the return from injury of the influential Gary Brown - gave stand in manager Brady a selection headache.&nbsp; With Healy missing once again, the young man had some tough decisions to make, but he can be pleased with his work as BA secured a vital 3 points in the race to finish in the top half of the LAMFL.

<p>A good pre-match talk in the dressing room left the players in no doubt about the task ahead.&nbsp; Knox kept goal with the back 4 made up of McDonald, Rusher, JJ and new boy Carl.&nbsp; On the flanks, Hogan retained his place, with Dilloway coming in for the missing Scotchford.&nbsp; But it was the middle where Brady was spoilt for choice.&nbsp; He opted for the experienced pairing of Reddings and Brown.&nbsp; Gardiner could consider himself unfortunate to be on the bench but as the match panned out, Brown and Reddings bossed the engine room with T coming on early in the second half to add a pair of fresh legs as BA looked to consolidate.&nbsp; Ranger was pushed up front to partner Scott.

<p>The match started with both sides finding it difficult to settle into any rhythm due to the conditions.&nbsp; The early exchanges were cagey but it was BA who were to make the breakthrough 10mins in.&nbsp; A foul on the edge of the box gave Stevie Reddings the opportunity to test the keeper and from just over 20 yards, he curled a delightful low shot around the wall and just inside the left hand post.&nbsp; It was a great strike and showed the quality that Stevie possesses.&nbsp; BA continued to press forward and the impressive Nathan was giving the full back a torrid time.&nbsp; A 2nd goal arrived 10mins later when the returning Brown swung in a superb corner for JJ to rise above his marker to bullet home a header.&nbsp; 2-0.&nbsp;Brown and Reddings were so dominant in the middle that it allowed Ben and Nathan to play almost as extra forwards.&nbsp; It was wave after wave of attack but BA almost paid the price for failing to take their chances as Ealing Borough broke with speed.&nbsp; Fortunately Knox made the 1st of 2 outstanding saves to deny the lively Ealing striker.

<p>Into the 2nd half and it was BA who were on the back foot once again.&nbsp; Brady warned against complacency but Ealing's tails were up and they swept forward in search of a way back into the game.&nbsp; T replaced the ineffectual Scott.&nbsp; He went into the middle alongside Brown.&nbsp; Ranger switched with Stevie as BA went 4-5-1 in an attempt to regain control of the match.&nbsp; This change seemed to work and allowed them to play on the counter attack.&nbsp; Decent chances were missed by Hogan and Reddings and these almost came back to haunt BA as Knox once again pulled off a tremendous save from the Ealing striker.&nbsp; BA were scrapping for their lives and it was heartening to see all 11 boys pull together to repel the opposition attacks.&nbsp; Carpenter came on in place of the injured Nathan with around 35mins to go as chances continued to come and go for both sides, Hogan squandering the best of these.&nbsp; Carl's hamstring was beginning to prove bothersome and another reshuffle was required when Brady himself, eventually replaced him.&nbsp; He was to play his part in a wonderful team move with 10mins to go.&nbsp; An interchange in the midfield gave Brady possession.&nbsp; He laid the ball back to McDonald who fed JJ.&nbsp; He delivered a pin point cross and T placed a superb header back across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.&nbsp; This goal killed the match but BA were to switch off in the final minutes.&nbsp; Knox was left exposed and despite making another save, the ball rebounded into the Ealing striker's path and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball home.&nbsp; 3-1.

<p>The disappointment of failing to keep the clean sheet that the boys had worked so hard for does not take away from another excellent win.&nbsp; It is a measure of how far we have come this year as this was the kind of game we would have struggled in badly last season.&nbsp; Although it will be a difficult job for Healy to keep the squad happy, competition for places is producing some excellent performances from the team.&nbsp; We need to maintain the commitment, effort and hard work in the coming weeks as the big matches come thick and fast.

<p>&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;

<p>&nbsp;