OMT Baabaas V Bracknell Mens 2

Bracknell, top, played OMT Baabaas, second, in MBBO division five, in a game which could have huge repercussions for both teams. Although top, Bracknell needed victory to secure their league position over the Christmas break against an ubeaten OMT team, but it was not to be for a brave Bracknell side. On a bitterly cold day, Bracknell were able to field a relatively strong team, with just Tom Mitchell and Sean Hardingham called up to the first team, and Alex Light brought up from the thirds. The early stages of the game showed that both these teams could do damage in their opponent's shooting circle, and it was Bracknell that landed the first blow with a characteristc reverse stick strike from Peter Scott, who was assisted by his brother Tom. OMT were not slow to reply, however, although the manner of their goal was a far cry from "Scott the younger's" stylish opener. A strike in the D was miscontrolled by an OMT striker; as he attempted to bring the ball under control, all he could was deflect its path, which was enough to wrong foot Withey in the Bracknell goal who, moving to cover the initial strike, was left impotent as the ball slowly crept over the line. The goal gave OMT added impetus, and they soon took the lead from a simple short corner routine: Injection, contol, strike, goal. An unstoppable shot put OMT 2 1 to the good, and the score remained that way at the break. Undeterred at conceding their first goals since October, Bracknell set about their oppostion with gusto in the second half. Alas, it was OMT who scored the next goal, and again it was a very good strike from the edge of the D. At 3 -1 Bracknell could be forgiven for letting their heads drop, but they steeled themselves and were rewarded with the goal of the game, from Adrian Plant. There was some deliberation from the umpires before they gave the goal, the strike coming from right on the edge of the D, and smashed into the bottom corner. OMT protested, arguing the ball was outside the D when struck, but the umpires' conflab determined that the goal was good. Despite their best efforts, Bracknell couldn't get the equaliser they so craved. As a result, Bracknell will see out the winter break in third position. In most other leagues, eight wins and a draw from eleven games would merit a higher league position, but this season's MBBO division five has in Bracknell, OMT and Brunel, three exceptional teams, none of whom would look out of place in a higher division. Which of those three will be elevated to a higher division is all to be decided in the new year.