After a week off, Boca returned to league action against local rivals Leighton Corinthians Oranges. Boca were back at home and after a week of heavy rain, the Cedars pitch was a little soft and stodgy in places. The weather was mild, dry but overcast and the teams had to contend with the start of a mud run, with it's P.A. system banging out the rocky theme tune and other such classics during the warm up and first half, right next to the pitch.

Oranges started strongly and physically, their game was mainly long ball, combined with physical play and hard pressing. Boca weathered this storm for the first 10 minutes, Boca weren't able to get the ball down easily to play and they lacked a bit of composure at times when they did put some passes together. It was a bit of a midfield battle but played inside of the Boca half and in front of the Boca defence. Callum Scott and Josh Lane were working hard in the centre of the pitch, absorbing the pressure and trying to get the ball down to pass.

Despite the Oranges physicality and their territorial advantage, it was Boca who were looking the most dangerous going forwards. Joe Carr was having a great game in the No.10 position and on a few occasions, he was able to build attacks through Jacob Thomas, Bobby Forsythe and Zach Theodorou. Boca defended a corner early in the first half but apart from this, goalie, Dan Ingram's only real role was picking up loose through balls and then distributing the ball to the Galaxy full backs.

Midway through the first half Boca finally got their goal. A great move down the left involving Ivan Pastore, Joe and Jacob, was fed back to Zach on the left corner of the Oranges box. Zach shifted the ball inside on to his right foot and then swept a curling shot into the top left corner of the goal, a wonderful strike, 1-0.

This goal settled the Boca players down and in the last 15 minutes before half time they played some fantastic, flowing football. Suddenly Galaxy were looking confident and Corinthians were looking tired and beaten. On a number of occasions Boca managed to switch play across the defensive line, utilising Ivan at left back or Will Gibson at right back and then moving forwards down the wings. Despite all this good play Boca couldn't land the killer blow of a second goal, with Corinthians riding their luck at times but managing to scramble clear from their box.

Half time rejuvenated the Oranges and they came out with the same intensity that they had shown at the beginning of the match. Boca seemed a bit rattled, they dropped off slightly and were not winning their challenges. Around 10 mins into the half Oranges broke down the right and with their only proper shot on target of the whole game, they fired an equaliser into the left side of the Boca goal, 1-1.

Tom Alexander moved into midfield alongside Callum and this change gradually started to move the momentum of the game. Boca started to retain possession, build attacks and create chances again. A good move ended with a slick through ball to Zach who sprang away from the Oranges centre halves. Zach drew out the goalie and then neatly slotted his finish into the bottom left corner, 2-1.

Corinthians did not give up and were still troubling Galaxy with some of their long balls behind the Boca defence but try as they might Oranges couldn't create a clear-cut chance, with their main shooting chances coming from well outside the box.

Midway through the second half Zach completed his hattrick, to grab his 20th league goal in 5 league games. It was another goalscoring demonstration by Zach but this time backed up by a solid but not spectacular team performance by his Galaxy team mates, 3-1.

The 3rd goal killed off the game and Boca played some more good football for the last few minutes, late chances for Josh, Jack, Jacob and Joe came and went.

It had been a solid performance by Boca. It was a tough & physical game, which prevented Boca from getting fully into their stride and after being pegged back it was encouraging to see the Galaxy fighting spirit come through, to dig their heals in and pull through for the victory. Against physical teams in previous seasons Boca might have struggled but they have a growing winning mentality.

The Gartec Player of the Match could have gone to Zach for his superb hattrick, Callum for his dominant midfield display, Tom for his solid performance in defence & game changing performance in midfield but today the award went to Joe. Joe was outstanding today, he was always available in pockets of space, he was composed in possession, he battled off the ball and his passing, touch and skill was wonderful to watch.

Next week Boca have a very long away trip to Middleton Cheney.