Late show - Early Bath

Barely Athletic 5 Bathelona 2

Goal: Nick

Defence: Chris, Lee, Ian, Rich Bats

Midfield: Sam, James, Mike, Richie,

Attack: Lefils, Jim Banton

Subs: Steve, Jimbo, Jimmy, Ioan, Tom

Barely took a small step towards securing their first division status with a delayed but deserved victory over Bathelona, who had slightly put the dampers on an evening kick-off by going to the wrong ground and arriving an hour late. With everyone keen to play, however, the teams agreed to play half an hour each way, and duly kicked off.

Rich and Steve had a veritable cornucopia of players to choose from with 16 Barely players eager to play a part in reversing their recent fortunes. With a subs bench that could have made a decent barbershop quartet (with a sub of it's own) Barely rolled players on and off throughout the game to keep things fresh.

Barely started strongly with Wednesday regular, but big-match debutant Jim Banton getting on the end of a decent move and putting the home side one-up after just ten minutes. Lefils added a second to reward his persistent forward play and at half-time the score was 2-0, with Barely feeling comfortable. The Barely side was in constant flux, so much so that as the second half progressed they began to play with three forwards and two right wingers, but two goals from new recruit Jimmy had put Barely back in the box seat after Bathelona, playing better in this half, scored twice between Jimmy's efforts to make the score, at one stage, 3-2. The way Bathelona were playing you wouldn't have begrudged them a draw at that stage, but a penalty from Lefils after Jimmy was felled in the box - he did fall somewhat extravagantly, but it looked a trip - made the final score 5-2 and Barely took a precious three points away and a spring in their stride for the next game. As Bats said afterward, what a difference having a full squad makes.

Man of the match voting didn't happen, for some reason, but as well as notable mentions for the brace-scoring Jimmy and Lefils the Barely Reporter though Jim Banton was excellent on his debut - a goal as a forward, then virtually impassable in defence. Moment of the match was Lee's wonder-pass up the wing from a deep-position, which is indelibly etched on everyone's brains after Lee relived the moment at his leisure in the post-game discussions.

Fair enough.

As well as a great performance there was the welcome pitch-bound from injuries for Steve and Chris. Thumbs-up all around.