Bugbrooke St Michaels Reserves, who were presented with the Reserve Division Team of the Month for February award by league Chairman Alan Poulain before the game, edged past a depleted Cooks team thanks a George Boniface overhead kick midway through the first half.
Saturday 4th February 2023
UHLSPORT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE – RESERVE DIVISION
COGENHOE UNITED RESERVES (0) 0 BUGBROOKE ST MICHAELS RESERVES (1) 1
Badgers;
Boniface 33
Report supplied by Ian Adcock.
With 10 players missing, facing the February team of the month in Bugbrooke was exactly the game we didn’t need – in fact, Bugbrooke haven’t lost in the league since September, so this one was always going to be the toughest of games.
That said, the 10 available players, plus 2 washed-up old men making the 11th between them, set out to achieve the impossible – dig in, stay organised, keep the shape and hopefully frustrate them were the orders of day.
In all honesty, we did all of the above extremely well, limiting the visitors to very few clear cut chances, despite them having the bulk of the possession. Ciaran Wells had one very good save to make and another couple of important punches under pressure, but apart from that it was a surprisingly quiet afternoon for him.
The winning goal though was worthy of winning any game. Halfway through the first half the ball was fed into their striker on the edge of the box and, although tightly marked, popped the ball up in front of him with his back to goal and produced an overhead kick into the far corner!
We did create a few half chances but the final decision making cost us on a day that chances were going to be few and far between, considering the lack of presence up front.
All in all though, a fine spirited display and probably the best of the season without the ball – discipline and shape was kept all game and contained a very good side with effectively 10 men for the whole match.
Photos supplied by Finbarr Carroll.
Cooks, 1. Ciaran Wells 2. Dan Talbot 3. Lorenco Soulollari 4. Sam Harris © 5. Morgan Harrison 6. Ian Adcock (sub 14. Lee Saving 75) 7. Mirzan Noka 8. Keiron Mobbs 10. Mason McIlwriath 11. Dan Webb 17. Sam Giddens.
Badgers; 1. Harry Littlemore 2. Ryan Nash 3. Matt Bazeley 4. Toby Jones 5. Ben Dimond 6. Ron Gibbon 7. Jimmy Moore 8. Cam Harrison 9. George Boniface 10. Harry Jones 11. Amechi Madu. Subs; 12. Charlie Pearson 13. Miles Eaton 14. Alfie Doherty 15.Jonny Carey 19. Jamie Inwood.
Referee; John Ehilenboadiaye
