Something to Chew On

Barely Athletic 1 - 2 Chew Magna

Gareth

Nick    Batts     Colin

Scott    Chris    Paul L      Mike    Sam

Paul T      John R

Sub: Adam

It was a crisp December morning as Barely trotted out for their monthly fresh-air punishment schedule. As assorted players dropped out in the build-up to the day, it fell to Chris - who had sworn off football - to step into the breach, and he filled out a 5-man midfield as Batts opted for a 3-5-2 line-up.

Barely started the game in unusually perky fashion, mixing up their usual defensive opening with a bit of attacking. Chris had quite an impact as he sashayed to the goal-line twice, crossing for Paul Tovey each time - who sadly couldn't convert. But Barely kept the pressure on, and after half an hour of soaking up Chew pressure and countering, they got the goal their persistence deserved when Paul Loftus bundled the ball over the line.

However, they somehow contrived to not only surrender the lead, but find themselves 2-1 down at half-time, after a near-post finish was followed with what would turn out to be the winner. Batts' 90-minute plan involved changing the formation to a 4-4-2 and experimented by pairing Paul T and Sam up front.

It didn't pay off, although both had further chances. Paul couldn't quite turn Sam's cross into the net, and Sam found himself at acute angles during the game; forcing a save from the keeper (left) and belting it into the side-netting (right). But that was only the tip of the half-chance iceberg, as Barely managed to hit the post in both halves (Paul almost scoring the goal of the game with a cheeky lob) and kept the Chew keeper the far busier of the glovemen.

Paul Loftus - now in goal - wasn't completely unemployed though, at one stage pulling out a cracking full-length save to keep the Chew lead at a single goal.

But time was ticking away for an equaliser, and despite Barely having the lion's share of chances - ending the game playing a front four of Adam, Sam, Paul T and Gareth - they couldn't quite find the goal their performance probably deserved.

The Man of the Match vote harvested a number of names in a solid team performance, but Scott took the honours in a clear 1-1-1-1-1-1-4 result in his favour. Lots of positives to take from this one - but no points.