After another two week layoff Boca played only their 4th game since the beginning of November against local rivals Leighton Corinthians Oranges. It was a cold & crisp morning, with a brisk icy breeze blowing down the length of the pitch. The Corinthians pitch was on the side of hill, with a slope from one side of the pitch to the other and also a hill crest in the centre of the pitch. The playing surface was pretty good but the breeze and the slope was not conducive to good passing football, with most of the play occurring on the half of the pitch at the bottom of the hill.

Boca started the better of the two teams and dominated the opening 20 mins of the game. An early attack saw Ben Stunell playing a great through ball for Zach Theodorou to run on to. Zach still had a lot to do but he rounded the defender and then flicked his finish past the oncoming Corinthians keeper, 1-0. Zach landed awkwardly after the finish and manage to hurt his ankle. Zach had to come off, an early blow for Boca.

Following the first goal, Boca were in complete control of the game. Josh Lane, Callum Scott and Louis Woodford were dominating the centre of the pitch, with Will Gibson-Housden and Ivan Pastore bringing the ball forwards from full back and creating a number of good crossing opportunties for Ano Parwaringira on the right and Joe Carr on the left. In one attack from the left, the ball was squared beautifully across the Corinthians 6 yard box, with Ano arriving at the far post the ball agonisingly rolled across his path. In another attack down the right, the ball was crossed into the Corinthians box and Josh made a great late run, meeting the ball on the penalty spot. Josh struck his volley sweetly but made arguably too good of a connection and his volley narrowly went over the bar.

Towards the end of the second half, Corinthians began to come back into the game. They pushed their wingers high and pressed the space in central midfield, stopping Boca from playing out from the back and turning the game into more of a physical battle. Corinthians began to win more of the 50-50 balls and started to win possession in the Boca half. Despite all of this pressure, Corinthians weren't able to create any clear cut chances with their best efforts coming from long range and none of these troubling Dan Ingram in the Boca goal. Dan did have to make one close range stop from an Oranges corner, when the ball fell to a Corinthians forward at the far post and Dan got down to make a brave stop, pushing the ball out for a corner.

Corinthians also started the game stronger in the second half, Boca were now trying to play a more direct style to beat the Corinthian press but Corinthians had won control of the centre of the pitch and Boca were unable to string together their passes on such a sloping pitch.

Midway through the second half, Boca won a throw in down the right. The referree inexplicably overuled his linesman, giving the throw to Corinthians. The Oranges took the throw quickly and in transition, they managed to force a corner. The ball was hung up at the far post and the Corinthians forward was first to the ball, forcing his finish past Dan and into the net, 1-1.

Boca then started to get back into the game again. Josh, Callum & Louis regained control of the midfield, with Will & Ben starting to thread passes to Bobby, Zach and Joe. From a Boca corner, the ball dropped in the box about 2 yards out from goal to Will. Will had to react quickly and put his foot through the ball but like Josh in the first half, Will connect too well and managed to volley the ball over the bar. Late in the game, Zach had a great chance to wrap up the points. Zach was sent through by Louis, he flicked the ball past the last defender and then, from about 8 yards, tried to pass his finish into the bottom left corner. The slope of the pitch took his shot narrowly wide.

With the last attack of the game, Corinthians managed to beat the Boca defence and get one on one with Dan. The Corinthians attacker went wide of the goal, pushing the ball out of play. As the player went past Dan, Dan tried to get out of the way but he brought the attacker down. The ref, perhaps trying to atone for his earlier throw in mistake, waved away the penalty appeals and then blew for full time.

It hard been a hard fought game. Both teams had spells in the game when they were on top but overall Corinthians probably had the better of the open play but with Boca, who couldn't really get into their stride, creating the best of the chances. The pitch was a factor in a game which lacked the quality of football that Boca usually shows. There were a number of good performances, Ivan had been superb at left back, he dominated their tricky winger and barely let him have a kick. Ano had another solid game down the Boca right. Louis, Callum & Josh were strong in central midfield. Overall, Will was Player of the Match, he was powerful in and out of possession, he always looked to make himself available and he was a creative force when coming forward.

The draw ended the 100% winning league record for Boca but they still remain undefeated at the top of the league. Boca now have a good run of sgames coming up but they will need a little better luck with injuries, with a couple of key players now out. Next week Boca play Stoke Hammond where they will be hoping to get back to winning ways! Zak