Report

Frustrated?  Just a tad...

AFC Pennington face an anxious wait to see whether they will be promoted as champions or runners up after BU Staff became the first side to leave Lodge Road with a point this season.  BU are favourites as they have a 9 point deficit to overturn in 6 remaining games and boast superior goal difference.

In the opening 15 minutes of this fixture it was apparent why BU Staff had been so successful this season.  The ball was rarely on the ground as they aimed ad nausea for their big striker and hoped to get a lucky break.  The tactic had worked in the away fixture at the start of the season but this time round failed miserably as they found Ketley and Bealey more than equal to the task.  Once Pennington had sussed out the approach and realised they had faced tougher opponents this season they settled down and started playing their own game.  As in recent weeks they went on to create enough chances to win the game comfortably.  Unfortunately, unlike in recent weeks they failed to convert any of those chances.

The best chance either side of the break fell to Ainsworth who mistimed his effort when trying to volley home a difficult chance in the first half.  As poor as BU looked going forwards, they looked strong at the back.  Perhaps this was why Jr. Ketley spent the first half looking for his shooting boots and when he found them only mustered the equivalent of a warning shot across the bows which the BU keeper dealt with.  Rink also had a long range effort saved comfortably and saw another drift harmlessly wide.

Knowing a win was the only useful outcome Pennington doubled their efforts in the second half.  They should have taken the lead when Ainsworth drew the keeper, skilfully jinked round him and with the goal at his mercy inexplicably paused instead of shooting which allowed a covering defender to clear the danger.

At the other end Pennington rarely looked troubled but in their pursuit of a goal, inevitably left gaps at the back.  That BU Staff were only able to mount one attempt on target speaks volumes of the level of frustration felt on the sidelines.  When the chance came it was a good one but Ruane had spotted the danger early and rushed off his line to meet it.  As the BU striker attempted to knock it past him Ruane thwarted him with a strong hand low to his right.

In an a final throw of the dice the firepower of Buckland and Jourdan were added to the Pennington attack for the final half hour.  Buckland came closest to a goal when he rose unmarked at the near post to head a corner inches past the post with the BU keeper rooted to the spot.

Penno knew it was not going to be their day minutes before the end when Jr. Ketley beat the keeper with a low shot but superb commitment from the BU defender saw him clear the chance off the line.

Whether Pennington finally take the honours or not they have achieved an enviable league record over the final ¾ of the season and look forward with confidence to competing in Division 3 next season.

Well done lads.

UTP!