Barely's evening performance dashes Reunion

Barely Athletic 1 Reunion 0

Goal: Steve

Defence: Andy, Danny, Quentin, Tom

Midfield: Rich B, Jacko, Sam, Nick

Attack: Manrouf, Lefils

Sub: Chris

Devoted attendees: Martin, Phil

If football is sometimes like poetry then last night's ground-out result was closer to a couple of drunks singing on their way back from a lock-in. There was music in there somewhere, but it was lost amidst the bleary ramblings of half-remembered tunes and abrupt halts as the players struggled to hit the right note.

Yes, it's the time of the season where the Autumnal flurry of excitement has long-gone and tired players are doggedly doing their best to eke out a result. And hats off to Barely; that's exactly what they did against a competitive Reunion side.

With co-manager Richie mysteriously off sick on the very night his (other) beloved team played the pivotal match of their season (bad luck Richie) it was left to Jim to arrange the side, and he charitably refereed the first half whilst shuffling his players to accomodate the returning Quentin, who slotted in at centre-back as Tom moved to the right. But missing both their managers and with a couple of shorties in the middle of the park, Barely looked a hesitant side in the early stages, and one was reminded of their early season form when they often looked sluggish at the opening. Gradually, perceptibly, Barely's players got their foot on the ball and started to edge things, but couldn't quite find the final pass. Their best chance came when Lefils put through Mani but the Gallic marksman skewed the ball just wide.

But a breakthrough came from an unlikely source. As Barely pressurised Quentin had pushed further and further up the pitch, and it was his Jim-or-Richie-like run into the box that saw the ball batted down by a defender's hand. Jim had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and though the keeper got a hand to Lefils' penalty, it had enough power to bulge the back of the net despite his interception.

At half-time Jim brought himself on for the now-reffing Sam (who swopped with Jacko later) and Chris went up front in place of Mani, who took up linesman duties. Steve and Nick swopped places, as is their wont.

Initially the game was fairly decent, but after ten minutes or so it took on a ragged composure and neither side really looked likely to score unless it came from a mistake. As the half wore on one or two of Reunion decided to contest every decision by the reluctant refs, and this didn't help the game's pallor as tempers began to fray. In a game that was largely even-tempered for the first hour it was a shame that every throw-in or tackle became a bone of contention for both sides. But maybe this approach serves Reunion well, as they were arguably the stronger side as the game drew to it's conclusion. After forcing a series of corners they had the ball in the net at one stage, but it had crossed the touchline in the build-up and Barely escaped.

One keystone moment from Nick aside in the goal ("it bobbled in the air" he said later) - though in fairness we should also mention a couple of crucial catches - the game drew to an end and Barely had ground out an impressive result. Reunion were well-organised and mobile, so a victory was no mean feat, albeit via the penalty spot. Chris made an impressive turn at centre-forward, winning several headers and at one stage dribbling through about four defenders, though the game was mainly about the defenders, who were uniformly excellent for Barely, with Danny and Quentin bossing the back line to the manner born. Serial award-winner Tom squeaked the Man of the Match gong, but one damp spot on proceedings was a hamstring injury to midfield maestro Jim, who we wish a speedy recovery.

Barely now have a week to recover before the next game.