11th March 2001     Burton Joyce   1  v  2  East Leake Bantams

Scorer: Chris Jackson

This was the first time we had played East Leake this season. We knew little about them but suspected that they would play similar football to ourselves. Although billed as a home game, foot and mouth restrictions at the Poplars had meant we couldn't play there.East Leake kindly offered to play this one at their ground.

The first half started briskly with both teams swapping attacks in the first few minutes. The weather was milder than of late which both teams seemed to respond to, especially BJ who were alert from the first minute. However it was Bantams who struck first with a shot which just whistled past the post. This seemed to spur BJ into life and Oliver Woodward and Sam Smith linked up well with Anthony Kefer up front to create some chances. The half seemed to swing one way and then the other which both teams putting on the pressure for 5 minute spells. There were chances at either end but both goal-keepers performed really well, especially as the ball was quite slippery. Try as both teams might the half ended at 0-0

Coaches Marco & Steve gave the half time talk, made two changes and sent the boys out to hopefully provide more of the same. Within five minutes of the restart BJ were putting on all the pressure and Bantams were pressed back well into their half. A half clearance from East Leake was picked up just inside their half by Chris Jackson who had pushed up into a sweeping role. Chris took a shot and as much to his surprise than anyone elses the ball swept into the back of the net, What a goal! The next five minutes saw more BJ pressure and they looked like going two up from Anthony Kefer but the ball just went wide. Anthony was playing a storming game for BJ up front and caused lots of problems for the East Leake defence. The middle section of the second half saw a turn round in fortunes with BJ starting to get pinned back. BJ changed the line up by putting an extra man at the back, up to now they'd only played with two. However such is the fickle sport of football that within three minutes of strengthening the back East Leake scored with a well taken goal through midfield. This had been on the cards for a while. BJ were taken aback after applying so much pressure and before they had chance to re-group the Bantams scored again. BJ spent the next few minutes on the back foot but, with all credit to all of the team, they started to come back into the game with only five minutes to go. Anthony, who had been keeping the Bantams defence regularly through the game broke past to go clear on goal but was fouled on the edge of the box. Could we get back on even terms? Mathew Powroznyk strode up to take the kick but unfortunately his fierce shot hit the East Leake wall. The final few minutes saw more end-to-end play but the final whistle blew with BJ going down 1-2 on the day.

Thanks must go to East Leake for re-arranging the match at their ground at short notice and for the sportmanship shown by both players and managers.