Report

University of Algarve 2-6 Burton Joyce - Sunday 22nd May 2011

After months of planning Burton Joyce finally touched down in Albufeira on Friday 20th May to perfect weather with gorgeous temperatures. Two days and nights of solid drinking then followed for the majority before they set out to beat University of Algarve on their own artificial turf. The soaring temperatures in the middle of the day may have caused problems for most sides but this was to prove to be one of BJ-s finest ever performances.

BJ created chances very early on but somehow found themselves behind just 5 minutes into the game when the Portuguese side-s first attack saw them score. Then just moments later Sam Buckle won a free kick on the edge of the box. Jamie Powdrill carefully placed the ball on the ground before hitting it delightfully into the top corner, cue team celebration. It soon turned to 2-1 when Sam Buckle smashed the ball home from inside the area. Algarve will feel they should have had an opportunity to regain their lead when Matt Ward appeared to foul inside the box just as the Portuguese striker looked to unleash his shot but the referee, who was in a good position ignored the protests. Chances came and went in the first half for BJ to build a greater lead with both Roman Easom rushing a one-on-one and brother Ryan somehow hitting the post from inside the 6-yard box, albeit at a tight angle, amongst other attempts. Nathaniel Roberts thought he had made it 3-1 when he pounced first to a saved Ben Truman shot only to see the linesman flagging for offside. The temperatures weren-t getting any cooler and the Green Army who were consuming a large amount of water could be forgiven for wishing the sprinkler system would be turned back on at half time for a cool down but that wasn-t to be. BJ went in 2-1 up at half time.

Algarve showed European flair and liked to keep hold of the ball but their equaliser came courtesy of a long ball counter attack following a poor corner from the Greens. The Portuguese side broke quickly and the striker one-on-one with Adam Swietlinski neatly slotted home to draw the sides level. Burton Joyce then regained the lead via Roman Easom with a neat finish when he found himself through on goal mid way through the second half. Ryan Easom made sure he too could go home as a continental goalscorer when his goal gave BJ the first cushioned lead of the game. After having one disallowed for offside Nathaniel Roberts also managed to get his name on the score sheet after beating the centre back to the ball before knocking it past the keeper and slotting home for 5-2 in the closing stages. Roberts also became the first BJ player booked abroad when celebrating that goal after removing his shirt; some may think that the shirt was removed simply to top up his tan but the referee thought otherwise. That wasn-t the end of the goal scoring as Danny Harris- pass split the Algarve defence and set Roberts through on goal again. Roberts aimed towards the far post where Sam Buckle was running in also and managed to curl his shot in off the post.

With many players playing various, and unfamiliar, positions throughout the game and still managing such a comprehensive victory under unfamiliar heat against a side who were well organised and used the ball well the BJ can be immensely proud of their achievements in this fixture. Every player put in 110% effort and the Green Army clearly reaped what the sowed. With a tremendous victory and performance under their belts Burton Joyce set about doing their second highest quality and got straight back on the booze!

A perfect performance, including a perfect free kick by Jamie Powdrill topped of a perfect weekend!