Tom
John Mike Danny
Sam Jim Jacko Paul L Adam
Nick John
rolling subs from
Laurie, Batts, Paul T, Al
Barely's great new adventure - the inaugural fixture, in the inaugural over-45's league, with the inaugurally bagged-up kit - ended with the strangest sensation, not felt for something like two or three seasons: of being deserved and clear winners.
At half-time there must have been one or two flutters, however. Having bossed the first half in terms of possession and chances, Barely hadn't managed to break the deadlock - the exception being Sam's dribble around the keeper to finish after a through ball from Paul, which was tragically chalked off due to the ref having blown up for a handball by the Voyager back line. WHAT KIND OF A DECIS- - anyway, Sam took the free kick, but it was pushed out for a corner by the keeper.
Barely had had the lion's share of possession, but were also finishing like lions - lions in football boots - with Paul's long-ranger flying over the bar and Nick's header, after good work from Adam, drifting wide. Onion bag apart, Barely's 3-5-2 was looking golden at this point, with Jim Fry adding some deft footwork to Paul Loftus' aggression and Jacko's calm distribution. Key to the whole shebang though - as recognised in the man of the match vote later - was Mike Graney's work at the back. Tasked with man-marking Voyager's danger man, he didn't give him a sniff all game. Barely haven't looked this well-drilled since the last time they organised a night out.
But despite their good work the break came with things all square. And when the game restarted Voyager had regrouped. The away team's best spell came over the next fifteen minutes, as Barely took a turn on the back foot. Tom was called upon a couple of times, although not stretched.
Then Barely took the lead out of nothing. Paul Tovey - having his best game by far in a Barely shirt (maybe it's the new kit), turned and hit a powerful shot from distance - a great effort, matched by a great save from the keeper, who pawed it up in the air. But as the keeper landed the ball came down behind him, and bounced into the net. 1-0.
Barely took heart and took hold of the match again. Whilst Voyager still looked more threatening than they had in the first half, Barely were scything through the defence again with Adam and Sam dashing down the wings, Paul controlling every ball hit near him and John terrorising the Voyager back line with his constant running. Another attack down the left and the ball fell to Adam, who took a touch before doubling Barely's lead with another cracker, going into the top of the net from outside the box.
As Voyager threw everything they could forward Barely broke on the counter at will. John - on for John (surnames would be handy!) scored on his Barely debut when Sam sent Paul away down the right, and his low cross deflected off the desperate glove of the keeper. There was nearly a fourth when Al capitalised on confusion in the box to poke a shot fractionally wide.
It's unlikely the whole season will be this delightful. But three points, a clean sheet, and a great squad performance - Barely couldn't have wished for a better start. The only blot on their day's work was poor Jim's knee caving in on his return after three years away. It looked like a hospital trip at first but it was a relief to see him walking normally after the game: like a man broken by life.
That aside, it was the perfect start in Barely's brave new world.
