Montpellier Dogs Find

No Home At Battersea

Montpellier 0 - 2 Bernard Sunley House

Lee 15, 20

Sunday 22 March

Montpellier arrived at Battersea expecting a comfortable win to secure their position as Inter-Hall League leaders. Their impressive record preceded them, and even the BSH captain, Alex Wright, was preparing his team for the worst.

BSH welcomed back their pacey winger Jonathan Lee, who had missed the previous game. The continued absence of Graham Grant through injury (knee) meant the recall of Ben Poulonovsky at left-back.

The pace was electric from the start, with the midfield engines Ian Watson and Tom Hull imposing their dominance on the game. Chances were sparse until Jonny Lee was upended on the edge of the area. Lee himself stepped up and fired a thunderbolt which flicked the wall before finding the bottom corner, leaving the goal keeper stranded.

Montpellier were clearly rattled by the early set back, but it was BSH who moved up a gear. With the Montpellier defence still in disarray, Jonny Lee stole the ball on the edge of the area. Lee somehow dug the ball from underneath his feet, and produced a superb right-foot curler into the top corner which the keeper could only watch and admire.

Montpellier tried to get back into the game but once again it was BSH who looked more likely to score. Five minutes later Tom "Scully" Hull found himself with a golden opportunity to extend the lead. A cross from the right was deflected into his path, 6 yards from goal, but he snatched at the chance with his left foot, and presented the keeper with an easy save. Montpellier's only shot on goal in the first half came a few minutes later, but the tame shot was held comfortably by goal keeper Jean-Pierre Gale.

Just before the break captain Al fired a tame shot straight at the keeper, letting Montpellier off the hook again.

The second half was a very different story. If the first half showed BSH's attacking flair, the second highlighted their defensive steel and gritty determination when under pressure. Montpellier came out firing on all cylinders, with their classy midfield play beginning to dominate as the BSH midfield heroes began to feel the effects of their outstanding first half effort.

Montpellier's first real chance came as a result of clever midfield play leading to a powerful shot across goal, which was well parried by J-P but only as far as a red shirt. The follow-up volley was brilliantly blocked in mid-air by the brave Scully.

The defensive quartet of French Ben, Stef, "Dirty" Welsh Pete and Nick "Oh Feck" Croom with the help of solid tackling from Ian "The Hitman" Watson withstood the continued onslaught. Following another excellent stop by J-P, BSH broke well down the left hand side. Hitman Watson picked up the ball deep inside his own half and threaded a great ball up to the flairy Andrew Brown. He played a sharp one-two with Captain Al, before executing a through ball which was met by the charging Scully, who's left foot drive whistled just past the far post.

Undeterred, Montpellier continued to apply the pressure. A penalty appeal was dismissed as tempers rose on both sides. This incident, along with several "hand-ball" cases in the first half highlight the need for an impartial referee.

Montpellier made a tactical change with twenty minutes to go. Super-Sub Fat Paddy replaced the Montpellier right-back, and almost scored with his first touch. Following a cross from the right, Paddy struck the ball with venom from 8 yards. J-P pulled off what could be the save of the season, as he palmed the ball onto the bar.

Montpellier had a good shot from inside the box which hit the post with minutes to go. The rebound fell nicely to a Montpellier forward who could only blaze wide.

In summary, BSH deserved the victory after their outstanding first half, but were very fortunate not to concede in the second half. Their powerful midfield and committed defence did just enough, but it is thanks to Man Of The Match Jean-Pierre Gale that the lead was maintained. The Bernard Sunley team spirit was typified by the tireless efforts of "striker" Rostam Kilgour.