Solid draw against last year's champions to kick off the season

Bicester draw at Amersham in opening pre-season game

Amersham and Chalfont 3 - 3 Bicester (Harry Gaunt, Will Hartley, Ben Kirk)

Bicester travelled to last year's runaway winners of MBBO Division 1, Amersham and Chalftont, and secured a pleasing 3-3 draw in the drizzle.

Both teams started in true pre-season fashion, with first-touches not exactly up to scratch. Bicester got the opening goal though after a lovely aerial ball from Andy Brown found Harry Gaunt in the D, who was able to deflect it deftly past the Amersham keeper. Amersham found a goal back before Will Hartley opened his account for the season with a precise finish through the goalkeepers legs, after the ball bounced back to him in the D. Bicester were thus able to head in to half-time 2-1 up with lots of positives to look at for a first pre-season game.

In the second half Amersham came out strongly and Nathan Elliott and his defence had to be on the top of their game. Elliott made numerous top saves and the defence held out well, and it took a lovely finish from the Amersham centre-midfielder, to get them back in it. Jack Boydon had a solid game at right-back before a bout of 'double-cramp' and Jordon Chester was industrious in midfield in support of Alex Wilson in the middle. It was Ben Kirk who provided the moment of magic however, with an outstanding driving run through the heart of the Amersham defence, and a lovely bit of skill to round the goalkeeper, providing him with an open goal to slot the ball into and give Bicester the lead.

Bicester held that lead until the last few minutes of the game when Amersham managed to get another goal to square things up after a good run out from both teams. There were lots of positives for Bicester to take as they look to push for promotion in MBBO Division 1 this year and they head to Oxford Hawks next week looking to improve and tighten things up even more.
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Man of the Match: Nathan Elliott

Dick of the Day: Not awarded
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Match teas rating: (Where 10 = Eastcote) 4/10 - Pre-season so never any expectations. Solid selection of sandwiches. Good quantity.

Facilities rating: 8/10 - Lovely pitch although Ben may disagree, nice hot showers.

Fines table rating: 8/10 - Springy and full of life. Gaps between tables added to the fun.