Lefils puts the Fizz in Barely

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.