First defeat of the year at title rivals knocks Town off top spot

UCL division one title rivals Bugbrooke St Michaels Town beat Town 2-1 in Saturday’s clash to take over top spot.

In front of a big crowd at Birds Close for the long awaited rematch between two of the divisions best teams, Aaron King cancelled out Niall Duffy’s first half opener but Noel Reubus won it in the second half.

Town started the better of the two sides and Adam Creaney found King on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide. Town had the greater possession without generating any serious chances with former favourite Nat Liburd solid at the heart of the home defence.

The hosts’ first chance came from Courtney Herbert’s 30 yard free-kick which Ant O’Connor safely gathered. But Bugbrooke went ahead in the 18th minute when Duffy fired home from just outside the box via the upright.

The goal came against the run of play but the Badgers took full advantage and were on top until Town’s equaliser in the 33rd minute. Creaney was the creator as he found Phil Cassidy who was impeded by the advancing Harry Oldham in the box and King smashed home the ensuing spot-kick.

Both teams had chances just before the break with Sam Heavey’s cross-cum-shot beaten away by Oldham before Alfie Taylor fired over the bar.

Town were caught cold just after the start of the second half. A long ball into the box found the exciting Reubus who stopped low to head home at the far post.

Tom Liversedge came off the bench to replace Karl Bates and caused the Badgers defence some problems.

Town came so close to an equaliser when Taylor’s cross just eluded Creaney in the box. Liversedge returned the ball back in to the box and found Creaney but his shot crashed off the underside of the bar.

Oldham made a fine stop going down to his left to deny Liversedge after good work from Taylor down the right wing. Town pushed for an equaliser until the finish but it was not to be.