BTH made the trip to Millers reserve, home of Manly Allambie knowing that it would be a tough place to pick up 3 points, having already dusted Curly 4-0 at home earlier in the season. Allambie are known to play pretty direct football, so it wasn't surprising to see the pitch in such a dry state making it difficult to play with any fluidity.
On so many occasions this season, BTH have been slow out of the blocks, but the first 10 minutes of the game were positive as the boys in yellow won most of the early battles.
So far so good... But as usual BTH conceded first. It was a goal that we'd have been proud of.. The ball was switched across their midfield and a great diagonal ball found the right winger who beat the offside trap and squared to one of their two strikers to tap in from close range. However, BTH didn't panic and continued to be solid whilst not creating too much in the 1st half.
Positive encouragement from Ratko and NG sent the lads out for a big season deciding 45 minutes.
The game could have been over before we knew it though as Allambie attacked down our right and smashed in a shot at the near post, only for John Massey to tip it superbly around the post. After a few tactical shuffles, BTH managed to create some decent chances and we're winning the ball back much further up the pitch. However, some great saves by the Allambie keeper kept them in front.
The coaching staff warned us before the game that the impact from the bench was vital and they were spot on.. Este scored a great goal on the turn only minutes after entering the field. The tension lifted and the belief was there that we could now go on and win the game. After a few more chances, the turnaround was complete when George Harle backheeled the ball into the far corner in what felt like slow motion. Great scenes ensued with the players, coaches and ressies all joining in the celebrations.
There was still 5 minutes to hold out but the squad defended so solidly from front to back and grabbed a deserved win.
A massive win which keeps us on the tails of Curly who are surely now looking nervously over their shoulder.
We've been checking the curly results closely the last few weeks hoping for a slip up, but next Saturday it's in our hands to get revenge and put us in real contention for the title!