Axa swing on Barely

AXA 1 Barely Athletic 1

Goal: Steve

Defence: Danny, Tom, Phil, Rich Batten

Midfield: Richie, Jim, Rich Jackson, Sam

Attack: Manrouf, Andy

Subs: Rich Walters, Chris, Nick, Ioan

Barely were looking forward to a first win of the season yesterday when AXA staged a late rally and nabbed a point. The result was probably a fair one, although perhaps a little harsh on Steve, who had kept goal like the proverbial cat in the preceding 75 minutes with three world class, or at least UK class, reaction saves.

With a plethora of players to choose from, tactician-in-chief Richie shuffled his pack and tried Andy Lillford upfront, partnering Mani, and moved Sam into midfield. Danny took the left-back berth and Rich Batten returned at right-back. After their traditionally flimsy opening five minutes, Barely looked solid enough against a well-organised AXA side, who never did a great deal of running (with one or two notable exceptions) but used the ball exceedingly well.

The first half was a tight affair but AXA edged it, with Steve pulling out his man of the match perfomance to keep the scores at nil-nil, and Barely making some deft breaks through the middle as Mani and Andy tried to put each other through. But Barely couldn't quite carve out the decent chance to put them ahead. At half-time Chris made his 11-a-side debut taking the right-back slot and Rich Walters partnered Andy up front. If AXA had shaded the first half it was now Barely's turn to take charge and much of their pressure resulted from the strikeforce constantly harassing the AXA defence. But they looked to have held firm, until Richie played a quick one-two from a corner and belted in a goal from the edge of the box, aided slightly by a deflection.

Barely's confidence soared after this and with the team in slightly unchic orange and black stripes bossing, Barely looked to have sewn up the points. But no. AXA doggedly fought their way back into the game and after another save by Steve, Barely's keeper was finally beaten at the near post as an attacker was played through. Now AXA were on top, and if anyone was going to score in the last ten minutes it looked to be the side in blue. But Barely rallied again, and almost scored a winner when Jim was played through on goal. But the keeper smothered it well.

Richie shuffled the line-up again as both sides looked for the three points but Bob blew the whistle on the game with honours even. Man of the Match went to Steve in a landslide victory, but in truth everyone had a pretty good day at the office. It was a solid performance against a good side. But Barely go into next week's game without a win in three games this season, and facing up and coming Flying Saucers.