Barely Claim Runners-up Spot

Barely Athletic 6 Nailsea Old Boys 2

Goal: Nick

Defence: Paul, Ritchie, Phil, Sam

Midfield: Mani, Alex, Jim, Chris

Attack: Ioan, Dan

Sub: 'Young' Rich

Barely Athletic broke the 59 year gypsy curse over them by beating Nailsea Old Boys in a fantastic display of attacking football yesterday, and in doing so made certain of runners-up spot with a game to play.

Both teams entered the game admitting they were missing several regulars, but Barely's long time absentees Alex and Chris slotted in as if they hadn't been away. Or as if the time they had been away was spent learning the mysterious arts of pass and move. Alex had a game he won't forget in a hurry (depending on how feverish the celebrations were), scoring four goals and pretty much dictating the play.

Barely began the game on the up and with only a few minutes on the clock Alex collected the ball from the NOBs keeper's parry and slotted just inside the far past. Owing to a hole in the net there was some confusion as to whether it had crossed the line, and subsequently there was a belated offside appeal, but referee Bob allowed the goal to stand. It was a good start, and things got better soon afterwards when Dan finished adroitly, sidefooting home a cross from the right to put Barely two up under pressure from the keeper.

Sam then limped off, with his balsa-wood groin finally giving way, and young Rich came on in his stead. Barely maintained the pressure and Alex converted a penalty after a handball to put Barely 3-0 up. Surely things couldn't get any better?

Actually, no. At least, not directly. A lovely chip over Nick gave them a toehold in the game before half-time, unfortunately coming from the boot of the otherwise impeccable Ritchie. Shortly after the restart they made it 3-2 with a cracking goal, their young striker turing at the edge of the box and finding the top corner. Barely had the wobbles. NOBs are never the type of team to let their heads go down and they'd just come back from three-nil to three-two. But Barely downed a metaphorical shot of rum and came back at NOBs. And again it was Alex who was at the centre of things, matching NOBs earlier goal with a long distance effort before adding a fifth by finishing neatly as Barely pressurised the box.

It could have been worse for NOBs but for some fine keeping by their custodian and some wayward attempts by Barely, who probably had the blood rushing to their heads ad infinitum with the thoughts of a long-awaited victory over NOBs, who have long been unfazed by Barely's attempts in the past. In the second half Ioan and Dan took turns in goal to give Nick a chance upfront, and Barely's stats man came close, as did Mani and Jim. But the comedy moment of the second half was Dan forgetting the rules and picking up emergency centre-back Ritchie's back pass, allowing NOBs a glimpse of goal somewhat against the general run of play. But they saw off the danger, and their was time for Jim to thump in his traditional 20-yarder just before the final whistle to send Barely home happy.

Man of the match award went to Alex, with no quibbling, but a mention should really go out to the whole team, who played with an assurance born of a run of good form (last week's blip against Hill Farm notwithstanding). Mani was his usual industrious self on the wing, Paul a dynamic presence at left-back, Dan and Ioan's link-up play a delight, and Nick and Ioan didn't pick up any backpasses whilst manning the sticks. Ritchie and Phil were solid at centre-back. Space does not permit a lengthy list of eulogising of each player but everyone can pat themselves on the back.

In fact it has to be said that Barely seem to play better on astro-turf, having scored fourteen goals in two games on plastic this season. That said, everyone will be champing at the bit to play against Bathelona on Wednesday and finish the season on a high. Wednesday cannot come soon enough!