Ten-Man Barely Turn the Tide

Barely Athletic 3 Russell Athletic 2

Goal: Mike

Defence: Colin, Danny, Batts

Midfield: Sam, Richie, Lefils, Jim Banton

Attack: Jim, Ioan

No subs.

An incredible game unfolded at Fry's this morning under blistering April sun. Barely were never more aptly named as they failed to make a scratch eleven; dutifully went two goals down before scoring three in the second half to take all three points and confirm their top-flight status for another year into the bargain. They had a bit of luck, as we shall see, but not enough to outweigh 90 whopping minutes a man short.

Batts from the start elected to go for an attacking line-up, reasoning that defending for 90 minutes wasn't really Barely's forté. So it was a 3-4-3 formation (see above) that took to the field as Barely kicked off. Danny led the three-man back line with Jim Banton and Sam playing as wing-backs, expected to both attack and defend, a novel idea that everyone obviously scoffed at until it transpired the manager was totally serious. Sam and Jim would just have to rise to it.

However it was a sinking feeling Barely felt first, as despite gamely putting on a show and having an equal share of possession - so much so many of the Russell players didn't realise they were a man down - after ten or so minutes Colin was tackled just outside the box and a Russell forward poked the ball past Mike - who got a foot to it - and somewhat forlornly into the net. Early days though, and Colin was to make up for that error, and worm his way into the man of the match reckoning, with a rigorous showing in defence. But - no sooner had Barely begun to feel their way back into the game than a hammer blow came with a second, the ball pinging around in the box like a pinball before finally being hooked over the line for Russell's second. A two-goal lead and definitely the sort of virtual cushion Russell could be forgiven for leaning back on. Barely had one or two chances to pull back, and Sam's cross-shot ricocheted off the bar, but at the break it looked bleak for Barely.

However, the claims that they were playing well did not ring hollow - everyone felt there still might be something to be had from the game. Mike deserves a round of applause for volunteering to stay in goal - not where he pines to be - as everyone agreed that keeping the team the same would be a good move.

And lo, shortly after kick-off the footballing clouds parted as Jim scored a goal of great beauty to put Barely right back in it. Some lovely build-up play still left Jim with a job to do in the box, and he shimmied past a couple of challenges and finished neatly into the corner. Tails began to wag, and only five minutes later they were level, Batts keeping up his astonishing scoring record by seeing his freekick bounce once in the box, over the keeper and in. Amazing stuff from Barely.

Shortly after this point however the Russell number 6 headed goalwards and thought he'd put the away team back in the box seat. The ball came off the inside of the post and Mike's hands were definitely pointing backwards as he plucked it from inside the net. All of the ball over all of the line? No-one was one hundred percent certain but it did look most plausible. However neither Bob nor the linesman (Jim Banton's son) had a decisive view, and play was waved on. In fact Barely nearly scored from the counter as Jim teed up Ioan in the box, who miscued. He rescued the ball and fed Batts, but the attack fizzled out. For ten minutes it looked like perhaps Barely were spent, having given everything to get themselves level. Russell were edging things and the Barely rearguard was busy. But then on a rare counter Lefils found himself in the box and clipped a shot at the near post. The keeper might have done better but the ball nestled into the net and the ten men of Barely were, incredibly, ahead.

There was still time for either side to score again but there was an air of inevitability over the match and the scoreline, as though neither side could quite believe it and didn't want to pollute the drama with further, unnecessary chapters. Sure enough when Bob's whistle rang out the score said 3-2 to the home side and, by golly, what a game. Doughty handling - and one pivital punch clear - from Mike in goal; incredible blocks and tackles from all the back three and both wingbacks; great movement from the strikers and a master-class of midfield play meant the man-of-the-match award was wide-ranging in it's votes, but Richie took it for his I-can-play-in-three-positions-at-once display; in the first half especially he really let Russell know they were in a game.

Division one football next season, then, and in the meantime a chance to try and push up the table with the remaining three fixtures. Awesome stuff, Barely!

Class of 2011

Taken after defeat to Retainers, which is why we all look so happy...

Left to right: Manrouf, Alex, Batts, Danny, Dwez, Richie, Colin, Ian, Sam, Mike, Nick, Jim (1), Jim (2), Lefils

No Way Past Retaining Wall

Retainers 6 Barely Athletic 2

Goal: Nick

Defence: Batts, Ian, Danny, Colin

Midfield: Lefils, Dwez, Richie, Sam

Attack: Mike, Jim

Subs: Alex, Jim 2, Mani

Though the sun shone down on a celestial morning, a chilly wind blew through Barely's fortunes, and try as they might they simply could not get warm. They were given the shivers by a robust and and tidy Retainers side who showed why they've only lost one game this season as they swept Barely aside with a clinical performance.

Despite missing midfield anchors Rich Jackson and James Fry, this was a strong Barely line-up, but they didn't begin well, enduring a good 20 minutes of pressure from the home side without creating any real chances of note themselves. However, they didn't concede either, and were mathematically at least well in the game. Perversely they began to play better having finally let in the opening goal, but a couple of slightly wayward headers aside they created few chances, and limped into half-time having conceded twice more, lost Ian to a back injury and been forced to reshuffle, with Dwez now pulled back to central defence and Alex taking his place in the middle of the park.

It was, in all fairness, a bit of a cack display from Barely. They were allowing the Retainer's big number 6 acres of space to turn with the ball, and on the right Colin and Sam seemed to be engaged in a competition to see who could infuriate Fizzy the most with a series of wayward passes. Rich Batten brought Jim (2) on at right-back and Mani went on the left wing; Lefils pushing up alongside the isolated Jim. Everyone resolved to play a bit better in the second-half, and lo and behold the next goal went to Barely. A beauty it was too, after pinging a few passes around the outside of the area Fizzy put Jim (1) through on the right and his cross was met with a deft glancing header from the manager, Batts. "Like something off the telly" as Danny succinctly put it later.

However, like an errant knight who celebrates his treasure haul too early, Barely awoke the dragon. The goal galvanised Retainers. They moved up through the gears and smashed in three more goals - albeit two of them with some fortune; a mis-hit cross and a deflection in off Jim (2) - and though Barely did add another goal of their own, through Richie's 20yard daisy-cutter, the writing was on the wall. And the writing said "that's three points up the shitter".

At least Barely finished the game with no further injuries, but they will need to better this performance if they're to gain the one point they need from the last four games.

Dwez, the only player who seemed capable of dominating the ball on the day, cake-walked the Man of the Match award with seven votes; Richie was a distant runner-up and Jim (2) registered third place. Other positives were Mike positioned in the centre - he won a lot of headers there - and the fact that Barely could apportion a small amount of blame to the pitch, which was really bobbly. Though as they say in the hurly-burly of the FA Cup, when your team crashes out to lowly opposition on a mud-bath, it was "the same for both sides".

Unhappy End For Reunion

Barely Athletic 5 Reunion 2

Goal: Mike

Defence: Batts, Ian, Danny, Paul

Midfield: Andy, Alex, James Fry, Sam

Attack: James, Mani

Subs: Jim, Colin

Another three points in the bag for Rich Batten's side after a decent first half performance was followed by a vintage second one. Both sides were well up for this one but the game was a credit to the Casuals league in terms of spirit as well as performance; "a pleasure to referee" according to Bob, who had taken the whistle. And a pleasure to write up as well, after an enforced absence for the Barely Reporter. The presses are up and running again - thanks to Batts for stepping in with match reports for last three games.

The match started almost as briskly as the chilly wind that blew lazily across the AXA pitch as both sides carved out half-decent chances, and James tested the pace of the Reunion defence up front. But if anyone was assigning too much importance to the game they were sobered by a crunching of heads - as Paul dived into the back of the Reunion number 4 - and then James Fry being carried off after twisting his knee painfully - Jim came on in his stead as Barely reshuffled. Sam got in on the act with a scream of alleged agony - possibly a bit of embellishment - after a set of studs came down on his twisted foot. But then the game settled into a bit of football and it was James, opening his account for the afternoon, who set Barely on the way with a calm finish when finding himself one on one with the keeper.

Reunion came right back into it when a spell of decent possession ended with a shot wellied in from the edge of the box - though taking a fortunate deflection on the way. Back came Barely with a fortunate, nay silly, goal of their own, as James' corner was punched into his own net by the Reunion keeper. And as the half drew to it's conclusion it was Barely who shaded things, though no-one was under the illusion the second half would be a cakewalk - Reunion were still doing plenty with the ball but other than the one goal, had found Mike a formidable barrier to their efforts.

Second half started again with both teams having their moments, and it was Reunion who struck first, a very deft finish from a free-kick bypassing both defender and keeper. 2-2, and Reunion had a spell of being well on top as they sought to increase momentum. But Barely did not sway, and worked their way back into the game, Batts eventually getting their third after Mani and the goalkeeper obliterated each other in an attempt to reach the ball. Barely's manager swept home in the composed manner of an Aston Villa cast-off to put Barely back in front.

No looking back now - James, after another of his darting dribbles into the box, set Mani up to make it 4-2, then as Reunion's resolve finally faltered James got his sort-of hat-trick from the spot after being clearly tripped - no complaints from the Reunion boys. There was time for a little cameo at the end of the game from Colin as Barely sought to add even more goals but Reunion were still playing for pride and got the necessary tackles in.

Enough good work from James, then, to ensure a decent shout for Man of the Match, but in the end he was pipped by Mike Graney in what is being described as 'tactical voting' in terms of coaxing him into goal again - but tactical voting that was obviously inspired by his outstanding display between the sticks - so well done Mike. Andy's barnstorming midfield display saw him runner-up with other votes going to James, Ian, Alex and Sam.

So a great day at the office for everyone, except poor James Fry, who would probably have been better off in an actual office, changing a lightbulb or something. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Double header

Easton Monday 5 Barely Athletic 0

Goal: Nick

Defence: Rich B, Ian, Danny, Luis

Midfield: Andy, Jacko, Sam

Attack: Dwez, Mike, Richie C

Subs: Mani, Steve

The game that was played as a double header for both league and cup ties ended badly for Barely Athletic, with them out of the cup and on a goal difference of -5 in the league. In a horrifying echo of last season's travails, manager Rich Batten found himself down to the bare eleven 24 hours before kick-off, and that was with Simon 'Dwez' Dwerryhouse drafted in to play upfront. Taking on the resident Casuals champions, it didn't bode well for the boys in yellow and fading black-to-grey. However, perhaps inspired by circumstance, or feeling he had nothing to lose, Rich went for a crazy 4-3-3 formation with Dwez, Mike and Richie leading the attack. And by God it nearly worked.

For over half an hour Barely took the game to the champions, and forced two or three saves from the keeper as well as 4 or 5 corners. But like a surgeon trying to perform an appendectomy with a spatula, they had no cutting edge.

In turn, Easton Monday didn't get where they are today by spurning chances, and when a cross from their right winger went over the collapsing limbs of Ian and an Easton attacker, it fell invitingly for the man at the far post who rifled in, against the run of play to be fair.

Barely's house of cards then collapsed, as in quick succession Easton added two more before half-time, one the type of goal that makes Alan Hansen wake up screaming for his mummy, as a long punt from the goalkeeper cleared the whole Barely team and with one bounce the attacker had the easiest of chances to stroke it in past Nick.

Half-time and everyone was inevitably a little forlorn - it had been a cracking opening but nobody could honestly say they felt Barely were still in it, as they'd not taken their chances when on top. Rich moved the team around slightly, swapping Nick and Luis over and himself with Andy. Richie dropped deeper too as after the restart Barely struggled to maintain possession. Though the second half saw them only concede two more goals, they were thankful to Luis that it wasn't more, as he turned in a decent half between the sticks. But the game was over a long time before the final whistle, and Barely need to lift themselves for the next one - if they can play like they did in the first half (without letting in the silly goals) there's no telling what they can do this season.

Man of the Match was Richie with Luis, impressive outfield and in goal, runner-up.

Barely draw hope for next season

BARELY ATHLETIC 2 RUSSELL ATHLETIC 2
(Was trying to work "leaves Russell" into that headline but it wouldn't take.)

Goal: Danny

Defence: Dave Baines, Jim Perret, Matt, Colin

Midfield: Rich Bats, Richie, Sam, Andy

Attack: Ioan, Nick

Subs: Lewis, Luke, Mani.

Barring an unlikely reunion with Reunion, this was Barely Athletic's last game of the 09-10 season and they signed off in some style, very nearly grabbing both points against a Russell team fighting for the first division title. In a game dotted with superlative performances it'd be tricky to pick a man of the match. As Bats said after the game, it was a proper team performance and everyone put in a shift.

No less than four debutants were called on yesterday and all played their part. Matt was imperious at centre-back, Dave Baines a regular outlet at right-back and Lewis and Luke both had impact as subs, the latter especially.

From the off Barely were up for this game. Even the usual pre-match talk of how they might not lose was nipped in the bud as being 'presumptuous'. Nick's warm-up shoulder injury looked to be catastrophic as Barely prepared to start the game with ten men, but no - scampering across the field like a latter-day cavalry comes Danny, taking his place between the sticks and making Barely eleven (Lewis and Luke, who are 'younger', and therefore work to a slightly different clock, turned up later).

Barely kicked off and the teams went at it as teams who-were-almost-fighting-relegation or fighting for the title are wont to do. Russell are a big team physically and not ones to say "after you" in a challenge, but it's a credit to both teams and the ref that the game was played in good spirit. Unsurprisingly, Russell were the first team to create a chance on goal, but it took a good while for them to do so as the jerry-rigged defence were playing like a unit borne of long-standing relationships. Jim blocked and bludgeoned, Colin and Dave shut off approaches down the wings, and Matt was simply always in the right place, displaying some weird quantum relationship with the ball. When Russell did break through, Danny pulled off the saves to keep the game goalless, and Russell began shooting from further and further out, with wayward results.

At the other end Andy showed them how to do it, After a spell of Barely pressure, he gave the team in orange and black the lead with a Lillford special, cracking low shot into the far corner from just outside the box.

Russell replied almost immediately however, when a corner was headed into the net shortly before half-time to put the score at 1-1. Rich Batten made no immediate changes as Barely were right in the mix at this stage.

The second half was a similar pattern to the first, with Russell shading things in terms of pressure but unable to break Barely down, although they came very close. Danny pulled off a spectacular double-save at one stage and at least once Russell failed to hit the target from headers as they pounded the Barely penalty area. Barely continued to look to counter-attack and, with the introduction of 'faster than most' Luke, found their second goal on such an occasion. Barely broke and Richie, at the heart of almost everything Barely did offensively, found Luke on the right-wing. He darted to the by-line and crossed. After a short melee the ball fell to Ioan, who scored the most insouciant of goals, dummying past a challenge and flipping the ball past the keeper into the roof of the net. It was the second of two brilliant goals and no matter how much the Russell centre-back protested disdainfully that Barely didn't deserve it, his argument went counter to the accepted wisdom on how games are scored. See end of previous post for bottom line on winning and losing.

However Russell were never going to lie down and continued to pressure. Despite some breaks of their own - Dave Baines put a shot oh-so-narrowly wide - Barely looked to be holding on slightly and just conceded that one corner too many. With the seconds ticking away, the ball broke loose in the box and the Russell forward was on hand to poke it into the net as Rich and Sam desperately tried to clear. There was no time for either team to net a winner though, and the game - a cracking one - ended honours deservedly even.

Let's all take a moment to consider what Bats has achieved this season. Barely's first division status, thanks to results elsewhere, was achieved before kick-off yesterday in the face of multiple and prolonged absenteeism and praise be, the squad have another year to tilt at mid-table safety despite, as was the case again in this game, the team regularly being patched-up and/or thrown together at the last minute. Hats off to Bats, and thanks also to all those who have stepped into the breach, no matter how glorious or humiliating the result on the day. Ioan, for instance, has appeared on numerous times looking like he might be more comfortable on a gurney. Let's see if we can't have a strong turnout next season, meantime there's end-of-season boozing to be down, possible poker, and certainly some kind of partisan voting to be made on player of the season and that kind of stuff. Well done all!

Hill Farm leave Barely with Mountain to Climb

Barely Athletic 0 Hill Farm 5

Goal: Mike

Defence: Colin, Bats, Andy, Chris

Midfield: Nick, Richie, Jacko, Sam

Attack: Lefils, Ioan

Subs: Steve P, Tom P, Sean

It was a wonderful day for football, crisp and fresh with intermittent sun, and a decent - if somewhat hard - pitch. Barely had a decent team together with the return of Rich 'the pendulum' Jackson to add composure to the midfield. However the list of absentee centre-backs was long - no Danny, Ian, Phil, and no Lee to step into the breach as he did so admirably in Barely' last game. Bats, caught between a rock cake and a blancmange, opted for himself and Andy Lillford in the middle of defence, prompting a pained expression from the latter. Andy went on to put in a man of the match performance, making up for a lack of stature - for a centre-half - with determination and inexhaustible energy.

And despite the scoreline Barely collectively and individually put in a good shift. Both teams like to play good football and the battle lines were drawn along the ground rather than above the player's heads. Barely were playing some pretty stuff in the middle with all the midfield linking well. Breaking the Hill Farm back line, however, proved a tougher task, and Hill Farm adroitly foiled Lefils and Ioan whenever the strikers threatened.

And after half an hour of both teams showing flashes of joined-up football, Hill Farm finally broke through the Barely back line twice in succession and put themselves 2-0 up. Mike had expressly asked the outfield players not to let Hill Farm shoot 'along the ground' but that's exactly what they did, leaving Mike with a long way to go to the floor, and by the time he got their the ball was past him on both occasions. Barely looked slightly dazed but tried to galvanise a response; Jacko had at least one shot blocked, Sam jinked between players to put his effort just wide, and Richie thought he'd scored but his thumping shot was deftly tipped over by the keeper. Lefils tore down the left a couple of times but Hill Farm were first to every ball in the box, and the break came with Barely came two goals down.

Rich Batten initiated the rolling subs system with Tom coming on in central defence for the gaffer and Nick going into goal for the injured Mike. Steve came into left midfield, and Sean came on for the last half-hour upfront.

Hill Farm though were confident in the box seat, and soaked up the Barely pressure before picking their moments to score a couple more - one on the break from a Barely attack, and one a bullet header from a corner. Inevitably Barely's heads went down and the match became scrappier as Hill Farm had no need to pressurise and Barely were forced to do the running. Lefils and his opposite number began a preamble to what would have been death of a thousand kicks had the game gone on long enough and a vein of cantankerousness crept into the game, which was thankfully was kept a lid on by some sensible captaincy from both sides.

Sean's debut was impressive in terms of his energy and distribution, but despite a late rally from Barely where they were for a few minutes encamped in the Hill Farm penalty area, no-one really had a decent sight of goal. Hill Farm even rubbed it in a bit by scoring a fifth late on to well and truly put a thumping seal on a game that did not have 5-0 written on it in terms of the balance of play or level of performance.

But then unless they change the rules it's the goals that count, and Hill Farm scored five of 'em.