Barely bring the Cup Home

Nailsea Old Boys 1- 1 Barely Athletic

Barely win 3-4 on penalties

Alan

Colin Mike Danny Batts

Paul L

Sam Chris Jim Darren

Gareth

Subs:

Adam

Kevin

Scott

John T

Laurie

Richie

Paul Tovey

Barely's sterling season gilded its own lily yesterday when their unbeaten run stretched to seven games, as they held Nobs to a draw and took home the cup via the elation and heartbreak of penalties.

As cup finals go it was a cracker, with both teams committed to winning the game outright. Batts went with a 4-1-4-1 formation throughout, with Gareth, Adam and Jim sharing striking duties and a number of willing Barelyites working hard behind them. The sun was out to watch them, as were several keen, and some less keen, supporters. Ian and Nick were there, as was Jim Banton. Graham - injured only the day before, in what was a blow to Barely, managed to hobble to the touchline. The other absentee of note from the starting line-up was Dave, who managed to contribute from afar via Yoko Ono wishing tree.

The day was such a whirlwind of drama and dehydration it's hard to recall every detail, but it did seem as though after a searching opening, Barely began to gather momentum and only a hesitancy in pulling the trigger was preventing an opener. Nailsea were robust - there seems to be a height and weight requirement to make the team - as they always are, but Barely were beginning to find small openings in the back line. As Batts and Laurie began rotating the numerous subs, though, Nailsea showed they were by no means rolling over, coming back at Batts' men with a series of swinging attacks as Barely's defence started to look slightly amoebic. Both Sam and Batts himself were required to clear off the line, and Allan was kept busy. Fortunately, the break arrived along with a chance to regroup.

More rotation took place along with a pep talk that was half carrot, half stick. The midfield was now Kevin, Richie, Paul Tovey, Paul Loftus and Darren: speed on the wings and industry in the middle. Chris was pushed back into defence where he started mopping up attacks and springing forward. Adam took a shift up front. And Barely were back on top; pushing and probing again; but without ever finding that crucial goal, despite some rather dubious challenges on Adam in and around the penalty area. When the goal came though, it was unexpected: Paul Loftus was 25 yards from goal and looked to be running out of time and options, so he hit it before, as he put it later "I fell over" and the ball hurtled unstoppably into the top corner of the net with the keeper a spectator.

1-0 Barely and now their tails were up. But again, they found Nailsea responding, and the Old Boys had an excedingly purple patch of a minute or two when it seemed the goal was destined, but somehow Barely kept it out. Batts and Laurie made some changes, and Sam came on to pick up his first yellow card in twenty years of football after someone he was running next to fell over.

The free kick came to naught, but Nailsea's equaliser arrived ten minutes later, when the defence found themselves outnumbered as Nailsea broke though the midfield. Allan saved the initial shot, and he Chris and Sam all converged on the loose ball. Somehow the attacker got their first and prodded it through Allan's legs. Nailsea were level.

The final ten minutes saw both teams go for it. More saves from Allan. Barely hitting the post. Gareth presented with an open goal, but getting the ball stuck under his feet and prodding it wide. At this point Barely were back off the ropes and swinging hard. But when the final whistle blew neither team had found the winner, so penalties it was.

Nailsea won the toss and elected to go first, but their psychological advantage blew up in their faces like an exploding cake when the first effort was planted over the bar.

Sam converted Barely's first, low to the right. 0-1

Nailsea drew level: 1-1

Jim kept Barely ahead, high to the right: 2-1

Nailsea scored again: 2-2

Paul Tovey sends the ball over the bar! 2-2

The forlorn big man was consoled by several team-mates, who admired his pluck, if not his aim. Paul however sat on the floor, looking miserable at the possibility of season-long ribbing once the scars had healed. As it turned out though, that wasn't necessary...

Nailsea score again, going ahead for the firt time: 3-2

Adam puts one to the goalie's right: 3-3

Nailsea miss again! A third effort over the bar. 3-3

...and the final of the tenth penalties falls to Paul Loftus, now sporting a battle scar over his eye that had been bleeding heavily. The rambunctious rascal stepped up and banged in the winner, and Barely went nuts.

The official photographer presented the cup with the immortal line "Who wants this then?" and Batts broke out the biscuits - including Belgian waffles and champagne. Grown men leapt up and down and hugged each other. Long-set faces cracked into smiles. Someone may have cried, it was hard to tell in the melee.

Paul Loftus picked up Man of the Match, with Batts runner-up. Chris was just behind them, with a vote apiece to Alan, Adam, Colin and Sam. The votes reflected a proper team effort with all the subs bar Laurie - who was organising them - playing a part. They retired with the season, despite at least one match remaining, a resounding success.

And the cup came home - specifically, Batts's home.