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. 

Sofa So Good

Recliners 1 - 3 Barely Athletic

Alan

Dave            Colin           Danny          Graham

           Sam             Jim S           Richie                Paul Taverna

  Adam         Gareth

subs:
Batts
Neil
Chris
Laurie
Paul L
Paul Tovey
Darren
Mike

Tonight's headline comes courtesy of Batts, whose incentivised pay package of budget confectionary continues to prove a hit. Barely didn't produce a sublime performance tonight, but they dug in and made off with the three points anyway.

What with the fixture being contested on a Wednesday night, several of the training ground crew were available for selection. In fact the subs bench was so populous, in the second half all they had to do to keep warm was huddle together, like weirdly-dressed penguins. Richie made a long-awaited return, and he was joined by the lesser spotted Taverna and the (?) debutant Neil. Batts started with two of the three - stationing the energetic Richie in midfield and the almost-as-energetic Paul Taverna on the wing. Several regulars watched on from the sidelines as the game began, with Barely on top.

Recliners had a robust back line, and it looked to be a fairly physical game from the off. But Barely made early hay when Sam sent Gareth scampering - for a big man, he does scamper well - down the right, and his whipped ball in was sent between the keeper's legs by Adam. 1-0 Barely.

But then things began to go oddly wrong, as after an imposing first 20 minutes, Barely started to look a bit out of sorts. Recliners didn't need a second invitation to attack, but they got one anyway, and the away team were all over the shop when a cross was flung in from the right - with Alan out of his box, it was the simplest of headers to level the scores.

Barely needed something to change, and Batts decided the obvious choice was personnel, sending on Chris and Darren to pep things up. Dazza's willingness to, and capacity for, running really fast unnerved the Recliners back line, but Chris' impact was immediate - he surged through about three challenges into the box and let rip a shot that the 'keeper did well to parry. This seemed to lift Barely, and after a moribund ten minutes they finally got back in the game - and ended the half back on top in terms of the scoreline after Paul Taverna's delicate shot/cross (delete as appropriate) sailed into the far corner of the net. 1-2 Barely.

Batts gave a little half-time speech but kept the team as they were. At this point your correspondent was despatched to recover a ball in the trees nearby, but he had the bright idea of recording the audio events to clue him in as to what was happening. We have transcribed the recording faithfully here:

"HUrgghhhhaaaahhhhhhhNohhOoooorrraaaaahhavNowGerrrrittaaauuuuuooooogghaaaauuuuberisitaaaayeahyeahyyeasssOOOOORRRRGHAHHHHHHaaONNNIISSSSEEEEEAAAAAADDDaaaaahhhthatttsUGHOOOOFOhhhhhArrrrraaaahhhuuummhhhhhhfffffUCKOFFFFFF"

It's not exactly Match of the Day but we feel it does give a flavour often missing from match reports.

Back on the pitch all was going a little better than before. Barely were bossing the game again with Paul Loftus and Chris winning the midfield battle - and the whole team seemed to be more compact. Although Alan wasn't exactly a spectator, it was the Recliners goalkeeper who was pulling out the stops, getting a hand to shots from Paul Tovey and Sam, foiling Paul Taverna several times, and eventually foiling him rather illegally, as he shepherded him off the pitch with the ball not really on his mind. Paul converted the penalty himself, before having to retire to rest his hamstring. Really, it should have been Barely's second penalty, after the Recliners defence followed up the tackle of the game on Darren with the most absurd foul directly afterwards - simply hurling his body sideways into the long-suffering Dazza.

At the other end there was time for some silly tantrums after Gareth made what looked like a fair - if rugged - tackle on one of the Recliners, who exploded into an impromptu lecture at Gareth that involved critiquing his hair. Really! Tempers will flair, but lets keep the criticism to either football or questionable parentage.

There were no more goals to be had, and Barely's unbeaten run will continue right up until Sunday - the cup final. Can they extend it then? Man of the Match canvassing took a few diverse directions, but was ultimately shared between Richie and Chris, with three votes apiece.

Barely's Run Unchecked

Russell Athletic 1 - 4 Barely Athletic

Alan

Dave        Colin          Batts         Graham

Sam          Mike         Chris            Kev Andrews

    Gareth        Alastair

Subs:
Mark
John T
Kevin Dobbs
Laurie

Barely's unbeaten run now stretches to five games, four of them victories, as they avoided the visual impairment commonly called having one eye on the cup. With the final looming, one might have forgiven them a duff result in the league, but Batts was having none of it.

The pitch was rock hard with cracks wide enough to lose your car keys in, but fortunately Barely stuck with tradition and took to the field without them. A strong bench augmented the team's 4-4-2 line-up, with Gareth and Alastair making trouble up front. With several absentees in the centre of midfield Mike and Chris stepped up and started bossing things as Barely began well. In fact they should have began even better, but when a cross from the left fell to Sam, he skewed the ball wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.

No matter - five minutes later, Kev charged into the box and his Loftus-like persistence took him past a couple of challenges before squaring the ball. This time Sam made no mistake, and Barely were deservedly in front.

They had several opportunities to increase their lead before half time, as pressure on the Russell box increased, but seemed to lose its focus at the final ball. Gareth did manage to increase the lead, though, powering in Sam's through-ball to put Barely 2-0 up. It looked like the jig might be up for the home team... but Russell responded with an excellent free-kick flying in under the crossbar, to end the half just a single goal behind.

Batts shifted personnel while keeping the same formation, but Barely started the second half looking slightly bewildered as a transformed Russell laid siege to the Barely goal. Alan was called upon several times to snaffle up the odd ball, and the back line were kept busy.

But the Russell storm was weathered, and Barely began to shade the game again. Once more the ball was often flying toward the opposition goal, and once more it seemed it was destined to not go in - at first. Then a delightful Barely move down the right wing ended with Chris dancing to the byline and chipping a cross into the box. John Trimble was in the right place to bundle it over the line, and Barely's two-goal advantage was restored.

Russell weren't out of it - another free-kick looked in danger of sailing in before Alan pawed it over the bar - and although they weren't the most mobile team Barely have played, they put together the odd bit of decent pressure. But again, most of the chances fell to Barely, with Kev kicking himself after he sliced a chance wide of the post, and unluckily glanced a header a foot over the bar. Mike gambled into the box, only to see his shot cannon off the post. But Barely wrapped up the points with ten minutes left - Gareth chased down a short back-pass and as he and the keeper challenged, the ball broke to Sam, who shimmied past the goalie and claimed his second left-footed goal of the day - Barely's fourth.

There was still time for the odd moment of drama either end, but the scoreline had settled into place. The man of the match vote was again spread wide, reflecting the great team performance, but Gareth claimed it for his overall contributon.

It's not academic

Barely Athletic 2 - 1 Cardiff Accies

Alan

Dave         Batts         Danny         Graham

Sam          Paul L          Jim           Kevin

John T

Darren

Subs:
John R
Mike
Adam
Gareth
Paul T

Barely Athletic are in a cup final for the first time in many, many years, the last occurrence certainly being pre-blog; for how long precisely we would have to ask club historian Nick Ambler, who rather aptly showed up to watch the last half-hour of this game. It was a day of drama, with a lot riding on it. Not only was the match a semi-final, it was also doubling up as a league game, in the kind of fixture-economising the FA can only dream of. The result was far from incidental.

Batts started with a 4-4-1-1 formation with new signing Kevin on the left wing, and Jim Siemens taking a central berth alongside Paul Loftus, who had thankfully sufficiently recovered from a stomach bug to play. And Barely began the game well, breaking up Accie attacks and using the pace of Darren to counter-attack. In fact, they played so well in the first half they were kicking themselves to reach the interval only a goal up. Darren and Kevin both put good chances wide, and Darren and Sam both belted decent half-chances fractionally over the bar. But they were causing the back line all kinds of problems, and that man Dazza was responsible for the lead, running on to a lovely Jim through-ball and snaffling up the chance to put the home team ahead.

Batts had already started ringing the changes - it was a hot day, and the rare sight of a populous Barely subs bench was a welcome sign for all. Even Gareth - initially having gone to the wrong ground - had a run-out down the wing, which included another delicious through-ball, this time to the ever-willing Adam. Somehow Accies had kept it at a single goal deficit, though.

The second half was a more even affair, with Barely shading the first 20 minutes before Accies, to their credit, finished the game the stronger. By that time Barely were 2-0 up though, and happy - all things being equal - to defend. Darren - who was just getting started - was upended in the box, and despite the (surprising) protests, the penalty was despatched by Jim, who was first to the rebound after the keeper initially saved it. Lots of manic roaring ensued from both sides, and the Accies keeper - already grouchy - seemed to descend into a pit of rage. This wasn't helped by Darren, who embarked on a running debate with him over... pretty much everything, and also a series of tackles that involved him calmly apologising immediately afterwards, like Jekyll and Hyde on speed. As things hotted up all over the field, the keeper took his frustration out on the smallest man on the pitch - Adam, who was needlessly barged onto the floor after having the temerity to stand near him.

But the other end, by this time, was where most of the action was. Alan pulled off a couple of smart stops, and several punched clearances as Accies threatened. And when the away team finally did break though - annoyingly, off the back of a Barely goal-kick - to make the score 2-1, they took the box seat for the remainder of the game: corners were won, shots were fired. For Barely, it was backs to the wall: Sam cleared a goal-bound effort off the line. Adam won several free-kicks by dint of simply getting in people's way. Accies shots went narrowly wide, and headers marginally over. At this point, it would have taken a hard heart to begrudge Accies their equaliser, should they find it. But Barely held on! When the final whistle went, Barely had their share of bruises - Darren with a black eye for his trouble - but they were into the final.

And had three points for the win too.

Accies were gracious in defeat, wishing Barely good luck in the final. Man of the Match saw several votes across the board, with a smattering of names getting a nomination. Jim was runner-up with two, but the outright winner was Alan, who put in a busy and impressive shift on his debut. Kudos should also go to Batts for running the show, and supplying not only biscuits, but also a game-plan. The cup final is scheduled for May - clear your diaries!

When a run is an actual run

Axbridge 1-5 Barely Athletic

Mike

Dave H          Lewis         Danny           Colin

Sam          Jim S         Paul T          Darren        John T

Adam

Subs
John R
Batts
Dave Green

Barely's string of good results continued away to Axbridge on the 3G, courtesy of great attacking play from Adam and Dave Green and a good team effort all over the pitch.

The game wasn't without a little controversy though, as at half time Axbridge protested that Lewis shouldn't be playing outfield at all, and Barely learnt that the sons-can-play rule prevalent in the over-35's league apparently does not apply to the over-45's. The home team said that with 13 players present, Lewis should be on the subs bench or between the sticks, so the comparative youngster took to goal for the second half.

By that time most of Barely's work had been done, with Adam scoring a hat-trick and Dave adding another. There was even time for Paul Tovey's penalty to be saved and Sam to perform his traditional missed-sitter as well. At the other end of the pitch Mike was less involved, but Axbridge did hit the post.

The second half was more even but Barely probably could have had more goals, as after a ten-minute purple patch for Axbridge, the away team sliced through the back line several times, only to be foiled by the goalkeeper, or their own finishing. Dave managed to add a fifth eventually, though.

Batts' strategy was to allow Adam off the leash for 20 minutes, then sub him off to get a breather before returning him to the fray. It seemed to work pretty well.

Unfortunately the business of Lewis' age seemed to make the second half a slightly gnarly affair though, as challenges grew a little feistier and several players had a running dialogue with the ref. It was a bit of a shame as although one can understand their position on youth, Lewis had played no part in the goals, which were all down to the work of the crumblies.

Adam picked up man of the match for his hat-trick (plus one assist) but the Barely Reporter would add that the central midfield - missing Scott, Chris, Richie and Paul Loftus (not to mention long-term absentees Jacko and Jim Fry) - really stepped up to the plate today as well.

Celebrations were taken with Batt's new tradition of Unexpected Confectionary, which he waved around pre-match as an incentive. As ever, the devil is in the detail...

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.

Drawing Comfort

Barely Athletic 1 - 1 Mathern

Gareth

Scott           Batts          Lewis            Colin

Andy L          Richie            Chris              Sam

Darren

Paul T

Sub: John T

Four games down and four defeats on the trot. If Barely were going to end this run of underwhelm-ment, this was the team to do it. A strong midfield was buttressed by the return of Lewis, partnering his dad at centre-back. Up front Paul Tovey and Darren made for a partnership of deft touches and no little speed. But of course, Mathern are no slouches themselves, and had three subs to Barely's one...

Barely began the game in unconventionally alert fashion, seeing off early Mathern incursions and discovering that the referee was reluctant to blow his whistle for all but the most obvious fouls, as they were yanked back and chopped down with reasonably regular frequency - enough anyway for Richie and Chris to take it upon themselves to hand out similar treatment, as the game got just about the right side of feisty.

Barely looked the most likely, and in fact should have scored. Richie's driving run ended with a shot against the post, but when the rebound fell to Sam, he sliced it straight up into the air. Only a few minutes later an even better chance came his way, but - not having a vintage day on the wing - he put it fractionally wide of the post.

Barely pushed and pushed, with Darren always looking for the out ball - the Mathern keeper was by far the busier, with Gareth only called on to gather a couple of long-range shots. With Scott and Andy combining well down the right wing, it looked as though a goal was only a matter of time - or was it? Barely have been here before, and failed to capitalise. Although they were knocking on the door, it finally opened from an unlikely source: a Barely corner. Richie swung the ball into the danger zone and Paul - aided by a shove from the defender - bulleted the ball into the top of the net.

Half-time came with Barely in front. Batts rolled the subs around but kept the formation as it was. The second half saw Mathern foiled time and again by the Barely back line as they looked to attack on the break. The Batten boys along with Colin and Scott repelled everything threw at them, and again Mathern resorted to long-range efforts. Unfortunately one of them bounced up out of Gareth's hands, and agonisingly over the goal line to bring Mathern level.

Barely pushed for a winner, with Richie, Paul and Darren all having their moments as the Mathern back line creaked. Unfortunately for Barely they had an exceedingly mobile and alert goalkeeper, who regularly appeared at the edge of the box to snaffle up a through-ball. And when the final whistle blew, it was - not for the first time - honours shared between these teams.

Darren and Lewis picked up M-o-M votes but the clear winner was Scott, who got up and down that touchline like a vintage Denis Irwin, whilst making tackles like Roy Keane. It was not the win Barely hoped for, nor perhaps the win they deserved, but they'll be happy to avoid a fifth successive defeat.