Little victories

Reunion 2 - 3 Barely Athletic

Kieran

Dave          Batts          Lewis          Graham

Sam         Scott          Mike        Paul L        Paul T

Adam

Subs:
John R
John T
Colin
Laurie

If life is a succession of battles, then Barely have had their share of defeats, yet year after year they keep coming back for me. Today was one of those days that make the losses seem worthwhile - the away team tucked the blight of Reunion results firmly behind them with a win that seemed a manifestation of the new Barely: combative, determined, and numbering more than eleven.

Batts opted for a 4-5-1 line up in order to set about Reunion in the midfield, and that they duly did, with Scott in particular happy to trade tackles from every part of the catalogue. Reunion are a big side, but with the power trio of Scott, Mike and Paul Loftus in the middle of the park, Barely set about them.

They rode their luck at times, with goal-line clearances and a Reunion shot hitting the post. But they also went behind to what Kieran would be first to admit was a goalkeeper error, as he tried to smother the ball only to see it slip through his hands and into the net.

Seemingly determined to make amends, the debutant played a sweeper-keeper role in a manner that made Manuel Neuer look shy and retiring. He swept up a through ball and actually raced off down the wing and into the Reunion half. As most of Reunion watched in disbelief, Scott made the forward run and Kieran picked him out with a peach of a ball. Still with work to do, the fiery Highlander rounded the goalie and slotted in from an acute angle to level the scores.

With the luxury of four subs Barely were able to keep things fresh, but with Adam ploughing a lonely furrow up front halfway through the second half Batts changed the line up to 4-4-2, pushing Tovey up front and Adam into a number 10 role. But initially it looked like the change threw Barely out of kilter, as Reunion made use of the extra space in midfield to float a ball to the far post, where a deft headed finish put them back in front.

But Barely refused to wilt, and even though, as legs grew ever heavier, the classic Barely cry of "Time - Man on!" made it's appearance once or twice, they remained in the game. And in the maelstrom they started to find chinks on the Reunion armour, with Sam almost levelling with a left-footer that curled just wide of the top corner. Paul Tovey sent a header over, but he banished his disappointment by playing a key part in Barely's second equaliser, sliding a ball into Mike from the touchline. Mike took a touch or two, looked up, and clipped a delightful finish spinning over the keeper's head.

Game on, but with the seconds ticking away it was still hard to call who - if anyone - might grab a late goal to avoid the lottery of penalties. The Barely back line was busy, but Reunion were creaking. There was barely a minute or so to play when Scott sent a cross over from the right and Adam nabbed the winner, nodding down and into the far side of the goal.

Reunion had no time to reply. They kicked off and won a throw-in, but then the whistle went, with Barely through to the semi-final of the cup and Reunion out. Man of the Match went to Scott - who else - but moment of the game was supplied by Batts, who when asked who playing right midfield during the second half, replied "no-one". He also supplied celebratory chocolate brioche in the dressing rooms afterwards. Now that is forward planning.