Swift FC 3 Barely Athletic 5
Goal: Colin
Defence: Rich B, Danny, Ian, Chris
Midfield: Tom (3), Dave, Chris (2), Sam
Attack: Andy, Tom
Sub: Lefils
With the absentees list reading like a rollcall of Barely's great and good - Goalie Steve, regulars Phil, Mike, Mani, Rich Jackson, Ioan and Nick were all missing, not to mention co-managers Jim and Richie - Barely had to put out more feelers than a gang of radioactive centipedes to get a team for this game. In came Wednesday regulars Dave and Colin for their 11-a-side debuts, Chris 2 returned from a long sabbatical for a composed stint in midfield, and PC Tom took up a regular beat up and down the left wing.
With Lefils running late, manager-in-waiting Rich B started with Tom Pinnell and Andy 'the engine' Lillford upfront, and the rest of the side basically picked itself. But it also had to pick itself up, as Barely's long tradition (see most previous posts) of starting slowly was staunchly upheld, and they conceded early as the Swift left-winger outpaced both Sam and Chris and slotted neatly in at Colin's far post. Barely, by any stretch, had started poorly, though they were showing in little flashes what they were capable of. However with Lefils' warming up on the touchline Rich opted for an early change that paid dividends. Chivilrously making way himself, he moved Andy to left-back and put Fizzy up front with Tom. From Barely's kick off the talismanic Frenchman darted through the opposition and finished neatly to put Barely level. And within the next ten minutes Barely had, in a dramatic role-reversal, gone 3-1 up and were bossing things. Chris' and Dave's composure in the middle of the park was starting to assert itself and Lefils and Tom were combining to devastating effect - they set each other up for a goal each to put Barely in the box seat before Swift saw a shot parried by Colin and the loose ball prodded in to put the score at 3-2 as the play broke for half-time.
It had the feeling of a game where anything could happen. As well as Barely were playing Swift - who were uncannily fielding several players from last week's opposition - were looking capable of getting back in it. Their left-winger was dominating Barely's right-hand side, where Sam's groin-strain was hampering his usual scampering approach. Equally feeling the pain was Colin, who midway through the second half had to be replaced in the sticks by Tom P. Barely were feeling the stretch. By this time though Barely - who started the second half in polar contrast to the first - were 4-2 up as Tom had scored his second as incessant pressure on the Swift goalkeeper finally paid off. Rich B added a fifth from a narrow angle, but Swift pulled another back before the goals - thanks in part to Tom's long limbs - finally dried up. Neither team gave up trying to score, but the gods of football decided eight was enough on this particular day.
It was a good day for Barely - on a day when both attacks seemed to dominate they outscored the opposition, and there were plenty of defensive interceptions in the second half that kept things that way. Tom P and Andy tied for the man of the match vote, though Barely played pretty well all over, and certainly Lefils' impact cannot be overstated. Rich Batten will be happy to with his managerial debut in advance of taking over the strings for next season - a win and a goal is pretty much ideal.
Monday 27 April 2009
Sunday 19 April 2009
Barely crushed by Flying Saucer
Barely Athletic 2 Flying Saucers 3
Goal: Steve
Defence: Rich B, Phil, Ian, Chris
Midfield: Jim, Mani, Sam
Attack: Nick, Richie
Sub/ref: Mike
High drama played out under the shadow of the doomed Cadburys factory in Keynsham as two closely matched teams fought to improve their league standing. It might possibly have ended in a draw but Flying Saucers took advantage and made off with the points.
With the Saucers only managing a 9 player turn-out Barely agreed to play with ten men in a chivalrous gesture, however chilvary was thereafter fairly low on the agenda, as one of the Saucers berated Mike's (and later Rich B's) refereeing at length. Flying Saucers took the lead early as they looked livelier than a lethargic Barely, but as the home team slowly awoke from their torpor the complexion of the game became more even. Barely had a goal ruled out for offside - correctly - however the subsequent Saucers goal from an offside source was allowed to stand - incorrectly, as far as a furious Steve was concerned. The perceived lack of honesty after Barely had volunteered to have their own goal chalked off set a slightly fractious tone for the game, but as aggrieved as Barely were they could have no complaints when the verbose Flying Saucers striker let fly from distance and put the visitors 3-0 up. Morally dubious or not, they were three goals to the good and making light of their shortage of personnel.
Then from the kick-off Barely found a chink of light. Richie and Sam combined down the right to set up Mani for a deftly headed finish, and as half-time arrived the score was 3-1. Nick and Steve swapped positions and Chris took the whistle for 20 minutes. Feeling they hadn't done the Barely name justice, the home side began the second half like a team possessed, and were very soon back to 3-2 when Mani slotted in at the near post. At this stage it was all Barely, and your correspondant felt sure that a draw was the least they could expect. But credit to Flying Saucers - they rode out the storm and as the full-time whistle beckoned, Barely looked tired. They did create chances - Rich B headed into the side netting, Steve headed over the bar, and Richie was distraught at firing over late on - but Flying Saucers held on for the points, and mounted the odd counter-attack of their own, prompting a couple of decent saves from Nick.
Jim picked up Barely's Man of the Match award, though Richie ran him close and Mike and Mani - with some fine finishing - also featured in the voting. There was a general sense of disappointment that went beyond the result, but as well as the debated goal Flying Saucers also displayed very good possession play and great defending. Barely must now pick themselves up for next week's game, and perhaps make sure they bring a referee!
Goal: Steve
Defence: Rich B, Phil, Ian, Chris
Midfield: Jim, Mani, Sam
Attack: Nick, Richie
Sub/ref: Mike
High drama played out under the shadow of the doomed Cadburys factory in Keynsham as two closely matched teams fought to improve their league standing. It might possibly have ended in a draw but Flying Saucers took advantage and made off with the points.
With the Saucers only managing a 9 player turn-out Barely agreed to play with ten men in a chivalrous gesture, however chilvary was thereafter fairly low on the agenda, as one of the Saucers berated Mike's (and later Rich B's) refereeing at length. Flying Saucers took the lead early as they looked livelier than a lethargic Barely, but as the home team slowly awoke from their torpor the complexion of the game became more even. Barely had a goal ruled out for offside - correctly - however the subsequent Saucers goal from an offside source was allowed to stand - incorrectly, as far as a furious Steve was concerned. The perceived lack of honesty after Barely had volunteered to have their own goal chalked off set a slightly fractious tone for the game, but as aggrieved as Barely were they could have no complaints when the verbose Flying Saucers striker let fly from distance and put the visitors 3-0 up. Morally dubious or not, they were three goals to the good and making light of their shortage of personnel.
Then from the kick-off Barely found a chink of light. Richie and Sam combined down the right to set up Mani for a deftly headed finish, and as half-time arrived the score was 3-1. Nick and Steve swapped positions and Chris took the whistle for 20 minutes. Feeling they hadn't done the Barely name justice, the home side began the second half like a team possessed, and were very soon back to 3-2 when Mani slotted in at the near post. At this stage it was all Barely, and your correspondant felt sure that a draw was the least they could expect. But credit to Flying Saucers - they rode out the storm and as the full-time whistle beckoned, Barely looked tired. They did create chances - Rich B headed into the side netting, Steve headed over the bar, and Richie was distraught at firing over late on - but Flying Saucers held on for the points, and mounted the odd counter-attack of their own, prompting a couple of decent saves from Nick.
Jim picked up Barely's Man of the Match award, though Richie ran him close and Mike and Mani - with some fine finishing - also featured in the voting. There was a general sense of disappointment that went beyond the result, but as well as the debated goal Flying Saucers also displayed very good possession play and great defending. Barely must now pick themselves up for next week's game, and perhaps make sure they bring a referee!
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