Long-Mooted Philosophical Question About Mondays Finally Answered

Barely Athletic 0  Easton Monday 4

Goal: Tom

Defence: Colin, Danny, Batts, Ian

Midfield: Sam, Richie, Lefils, Jacko

Attack: Jim S, Jay

Subs: Nick, Ben

It was one of those end-of-season fixtures that are played with a slightly lassez-faire approach. Safe from relegation, Barely knew they could relax into their game, under no pressure, and who knows? Maybe they'd see off a strong Easton Monday side by merit of some composed passing and cheeky dribbling.

Monday had other ideas though. A fairly big side, they rarely needed to call on their muscle as they passed their way through the Barely ranks like Barcelona would some unheeded bunch of artisans whose moment has long since passed. England, for instance. Barely were dogged, as they always are, but it was the kind of canine who might have looked more at home in front of a roaring fire eating treats; as the rain battered down on Keynsham there was no marshmallow in sight.

At half-time the situation could be looked at optimistically. Barely had held firm consistently enough to only be 1-0 down, and they'd had the odd moment of threat themselves, albeit against the run of play. But any hopes of keeping it tight and nicking an equaliser were dashed on the hour mark, when Monday planted a stooping header into the far post to make it 2-0. Giving in isn't in Barely's nature but the most one-eyed observer would have known they had a big hill to climb.

As Barely pushed upfield in search of a reply they had their best spell of the game, but unfortunately it ended when Monday scored again, the goal this time coming off the unfortunate foot of Danny, whose attenmpted clearance looped backwards over the onrushing Tom. If Barely were a horse they'd have been shot at this point, but fortunately this is the Casuals League and that sort of thing rarely happens (any more).

Another goal moments later put the final nail in this particular coffin and despite another surge from Barely, who don't know when they're beaten, a consolation goal was denied them when Richie's chip was cleared off the line, and the whistle - gamely taken by one of the Monday players - was blown on a bit of a footballing lesson for the boys in orangey-yellow and black-fading-to-grey. Disappointment at the scoreline was the general feeling - no complaints about the result, but it's rarely Barely don't even bother with a poll for Man of the Match. And with the next game against high-flying champions elect Nailsea Old Boys, can Barely lift themselves for a rousing end-of-season finale?