Jacks were Wild at Concord

With an EIL regular season Championship on the line, Concord played host to the visiting Bulldogs on this early November afternoon. Two more closely matched teams might not exist as BA entered with 19 points and Concord with 18.5 in the league standings. Furthermore Concord's goals for (34) and goals allowed (5) were mirrored by BA's GF (33) and GA (5), separated only by a 1-0 victory by Concord back in September. To say that this game boasted some energy and motivation would be an understatement. The opening stages witnessed Concord's direct style being countered by some excellent marking, heading, volleying and chasing by the ambitious Bulldog's. It was Berwick, though, who capitalized first in the 11th minute when Justin found Amir on a corner kick who kept the ball alive just long enough for Jack M. to knock it home, giving BA a 1-0 lead, a score which held until half-time. Berwick emerged in the second half feeling energized after an opening 40 minutes of fruitful battle, and so it was Justin on another corner kick finding fellow captain Lucas who drilled home a powerful header that exploded into the back of the net, causing the diminutive bench to erupt and sprint over to their likable leader. 2-0! A questionable penalty kick for Concord made things interesting, but a pair of Jack's made sure the hosts wouldn't come any closer. Three top drawer saves in the second half lifted the efforts of the ten in front of him, and it was Jack M. once again, this time lobbing the keeper with a header to put the game on ice 3-1. Full credit to Concord who characteristically played with class and drive, making this afternoon an example of what schoolboy competition should appear like. With a regular season championship in hand, Berwick now sets its sights on the EIL Tourney where they will play host to Portsmouth Abbey on Friday afternoon.