Opening day disapointment with defeat to Ambleside (22.8.09)

Coventry Alliance Football League

AW Engraving Premier Division

Bourton & Frankton 0 Ambleside Sports 4

Bourton's opening game of the season and their first ever in the top flight of the Coventry Alliance League saw disappointment with a home reverse to Nuneaton-based visitors Ambleside.

Holidays and injuries hampered preparations and team selection for the hosts, and they got off to the worst possible start, falling two goals behind inside the opening ten minutes.

After only 90 seconds, an Ambleside corner was not dealt with by the home defence and the first goal was conceded from close range. Five minutes later it was two; another set piece was dealt with ineffectively which resulted in a shot from the edge of the box going through a melee of players and under B & F 'keeper Rich Parsons.

Despite the setback Bourton then started to grow into the game, and saw some good spells of passing but never really having a cutting edge. Their best efforts coming when Chris Shorey's left foot volley sailed over the bar, and John Forrester beating the offside trap to go past the keeper but seeing his shot off balance not quite having the legs to cross the line enabling a visitor's defender to get back to comfortably clear. As is the way, just before half time Bourton then conceded a third goal - once again from a set piece, which effectively killed off the game as a contest.

The second half saw Bourton compete a little better but a fourth goal for Ambleside perhaps flattered the visitors a little, but capped of a disappointing opening day to the 09-10 campaign and B & F's first game in the Premier Division.