A little bit of Fizz

Chew Magna 1-1 Barely Athletic

Danny

Dave           Mark            Jim B            Colin

Bob R               Chris               Scott              Kevin

Rob               Lefils

Subs
Al
Gareth
Batts
Laurie
Darren
Sam

Barely emerged from Chew Magna with a hard-earned point today, after the proverbial game of two halves was played out on a windswept, bobbly pitch.

Headline news was the triumphant return of Lefils, drafted in after a long absence to slot in up front as though he'd never been away - claiming the goal and giving the classic Lefils display of indignant outrage - fortunately at the ref.

Also returning was Mark in defence, allowing Batts to watch from the sidelines and adjust things with an objective view. And adjustments were needed, as Barely spent the opening ten minutes on the back foot - Rob and Lefils mere spectators as the Chew number 15 dictated everything from midfield. Barely changed to a 4-5-1 with Lefils dropping deeper, and finally saw not only the opposition half, but also the athleticism of the keeper as he pawed one or two efforts away.

And Barely's pressure, although not exactly relentless, eventually told. Cometh the hour... you know the rest. A Barely corner moments later and as the first clearance was picked up by Dave and chipped back in, consternation in the Chew box ended with an acrobatic finish from Lefils billowing the net.

Disappointingly, just as the away team began to get a grip on things, they conceded from a corner, the ball deflecting off Gareth as he tracked the run of an attacker.

No further goals arrived before half-time, but the concern over the Chew 15 had not dissipated, so when the second half arrived he found himself faced with two opponents whenever he got the ball, as Barely shut down the supply lines. Jim Banton - now in goal - was only troubled by relatively simple catches from the odd hopeful punt, but at the other end it was a similar story, as neither team really threatened to any great degree. Rather than a boxing match where a knock-out blow might happen any second, it was more neighbours waving their fists menacingly from behind the glass.

In fact the most drama came from the small moments - a contested throw-in; an unwanted substitution, and of course Fizzy's haranguing of the ref after he penalised Bob for a foul throw. Nay, fatherhood will not mellow him.

All good stuff and played out in an otherwise well-tempered, and well-refereed game. When the final whistle came both sides seemed satisfied with a point, and the Barely Man of the Match was a scattergun affair with numerous players getting a nod - the winners being a three-way tie between Lefils, Mark and Jim B. Chew demanded that they decide the tie-breaker, so Mark picked up his second win in a row!

One game to go now, before we're all another season older.

Barely Top Scorers UPDATE

+++Updated 26th April to include scorers in two months since the original entry (welcome Kev!) PLUS new information coming to light via Ioan on pre-blog goalscoring exploits! Please note however that the information is still - and will always be - incomplete, due to lack of exhaustive pre (and even post) blog records hence the caveats below from the original post still stand+++

Caveats:

1. These are the scorers, largely since the inception of the blog. With the new addition of the 1999-2000 season from the Ioan archives, which have boosted Jim Fry's stats considerably.

2. Not all matches played since 2006 are actually on the blog. I'd guess there are at least six missing; possibly more. So if anyone has insight on this I can update. I have a hunch Adam might be due a couple more goals, amongst others?

Updated list

Jim Semmence     28
Lefils                    27
Jim Fry                22
Richie C               16
Adam                   12
Tom Pinnell         12
Sam                     12
Andy Lilford       11
Batts                    10
Manrouf              10
Darren                  10
Ioan                      8
Paul Tovey            7
Paul Loftus           6
Mike Graney        5
Christov                5
Chris Smith          4
Alex                     4
Rich Jackson        3
Dan Hird              3
John Rossetti        3
John Trimble        3
Kevin                   2
Jim Banton           2
Paul Taverna        2
Scott                     2
Jerry Gyde            2
Bob Lynn              2
Lee Douglas         1
Gareth                  1
Lewis Batten        1
Andy Lucas          1
Roly                      1
Rich Sloper           1
Nick Ambler         1
Steve Pinnell        1
'Young' Rich         1
'Other' Tom           1
Phil                       1
George                  1
Mystery John        1
Bradley                 1
Danny                   1
Alastair                 1
Rob                       1
Arn                       1
Chris #1                1
Martin Remmers   1
Simon 'Dwez'        1
Finn                       1

Happy Reunion

Reunion 2-2 Barely Athletic

Allan

Dave          Danny         Mark         Colin

Jim B           Scott            Paul L             Paul Taverna

Gareth

Darren

Subs

Bob

Mike G

Paul Tovey

Chris

Batts

Sam

Oft-times match reports start with a mention of the conditions - the sun streaming, the rain drizzling, the mud underfoot hampering. Yesterday was the turn of the wind, which blew a blustery gale so strongly across the pitch that the game promised to feature much unwanted randomness. However both teams had different ideas about that.

Paul Loftus was the manager for the game and after an intensive discussion with Batts - the power behind the throne - they went with a 4-5-1 formation to counter Reunion's ball-playing midfield. He went for strength too, with a combative centre-mid trio of himself, Scott and Gareth starting the game. Batts volunteered himself onto the bench as long-time absentee Mark returned to grace the centre-back position, and Barely volunteered to start facing the wind and get it 'out of the way' for a hopefully more comfortable second half.

The game began at a fast pace, but - perhaps partly due to the artificial surface - gone were the horizontal challenges of the last couple of games. Both teams looked to play football, and Reunion's high line dropped significantly when both Paul Taverna and Darren charged past the full-backs to ping crosses into the middle. At this point, Barely couldn't capitalise though, and Reunion - currently top of the league, and off the back of trouncing Nailsea 4-1 - were inevitably having moments at the other end as well, forcing a couple of excellent saves out of Allan.

And it was Reunion who took the lead, cutting inside from the wing to rocket a ball inside the far post. A great finish, but one that punctured the metaphorical Barely balloon.

However, with a metaphorical pump on hand, Barely only took ten minutes to equalise, when Paul Taverna surged to the byline again and sent a low ball skidding in front of goal. The attempted clearance from the defender sliced into the net, and Barely were level. At the break, there was a feeling of the hard work done, as Barely would have the wind behind them in the second half.

Unfortunately though the wind wasn't as helpful as they'd hoped, because the ball would hurtle away from the onrushing attackers and to the feet of the Reunion sweeper-keeper, who was regularly out of his box to clear. But the early part of the half was probably Barely's best period as they forced the champions-elect onto the back foot, and might have scored when a corner ball broke loose to Sam. With the goal gaping he sent his effort a yard over the bar.

But amends were made only a short time later as the keeper snaffled another through-ball and attempted to dribble around Sam, feigning to clear before turning the ball inside. But you can't kid a kidder (or feign a feigner) and Sam emerged with the ball to prod into an unguarded net, and give Barely the lead.

Barely stayed on top for another ten minutes, but despite inroads down the left from the scampering Chris, they couldn't add to their goal tally, and a dramatic end-game beckoned as Reunion regained the upper hand in terms of possession, and began exerting a fair amount of pressure on Barely's back line. Mark was in imperious form and inspiring those around him, and when the defence was breached Allan was there again, at one point foiling an attacker by smothering he ball as he shot a yard from the line.

But it was starting to get relentless, and like a tied and bound suspect with an angle-poise lamp directed in their face subject to a series of slaps, Barely couldn't hold out. Minutes from the end a near-post corner was flicked deftly into the net and Reunion had their equaliser - gutting from a Barely point of view, but from a neutral perspective, not something one could begrudge them. 

A good result, then, with Chris, Allan and Paul Loftus all picking up votes for man of the match, but Mark - can he come more often? - walking away with the win. Barely's performance was, as the watching Mike said, the best he had seen in some time, and certainly they used the ball better than they have done recently when in possession, and defending stoutly against the best footballing side they've played this season.

A classic game, and one that will be remembered fondly.

Comfortably Bournemouth

Barely Athletic 1-2 St Brendans

Allan

Dave H             Batts             Danny              Colin

Sam               Chris                 Richie             Jim B

Gareth              Rob

Subs
Mike
Laurie
Bob R
Paul T
John R
Kev

A balmy sunday morning at Frys and what better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than a game of football? That is, if by 'celebrate' you mean 'acknowledge' and by 'football' you mean 'lots of grown men getting a bit out of hand'. If so, then all boxes ticked, as Barely took their usual (ignoring 2017 - as we will have to throughout this report) beating at the hands of St Brendans.

Just as in the past, the damage was done by those long, exocet-like throw-ins coming with pace and spin into the Barely box. Three times in the first half it ended up in the Barely net, although one was chalked off by the ref for a push. We are impressed he spotted the push - not many did - as there were several more silly challenges throughout that went unpunished, not least the most obvious case of obstruction since Ian Goodenough last graced the team.

But we get ahead of ourselves. Before the day even arrived, Mike inspired the troops with a digital team-talk via email that was all based around his penchant for Rod Stewart (presumably early Rod, when the lyrics were dubious but the music wasn't). Mike charitably didn't play himself for the whole game either, but he did do the pre-match address in song, before his memory failed him and he had to resort to more traditional methods.

Either way, it was a pretty strong team considering the absentees and with a healthy subs bench too. And Barely had their moments - the first one of note was Rob's cracking equaliser, almost direct from the kick-off. Play went down the Barely right before Richie clipped a ball over the defence. Rob ran on to it, took a touch, and billowed the net to make it 1-1.

The game was already getting a wee bit feisty but of more concern to Barely were those throw-ins; causing panic on every occasion and leading, inevitably, to a second goal for the away team. A let-off for the third but also more moments of panic for St Brendans too as Rob sent an effort fractionally wide.

Half-time came and went with the rolling subs now in full effect, as Gareth dropped into midfield to win some headers and Chris pushed out to right wing. The Silver Streak (-Chris) showed a clean pair of heels thrice in succession as he charged past the left-back, but unfortunately Barely couldn't convert his crosses.

St Brendans came back as another raft of subs seemed to cost Barely momentum, as a rash challenge by Dannyt led to a penalty for St Brendans, which, had it gone in, was surely game over. On the sidelines Batts said Allan would save it - and he was correct, as the keeper hurled himself to his right to turn the penno around the post. Then - so nearly a grandstand finish as Gareth - turning in a man of the match performance - so nearly prodded in an equaliser from close range as Barely turned up the heat again.

By now the sun was back out, and time was also out for Barely as well. A much-improved performance on the last two outings, this correspondent would say, and Allan and Gareth shared Man of the Match honours. But the points went AWOL. Questioned as to their position in the league, Batts provided the succinct answer that forms the title of this report.

No pain, just receding.

Another Nail in my Heart

Barely Athletic 0-3 Nailsea Old Boys

Allan

Mike         Batts        Colin

Sam            Scott           Chris        Adam

Richie

Laurie            Gareth

Subs from

Jim B

Paul L

Paul T

Rob

Al

Kevin

Darren

It was fun while it lasted, and we'll always have that picture of the cup sat on the cistern of Batt's toilet. But yesterday Nailsea - who Barely saw off via the penalty spot in last season's epic final - ousted Barely from the competition at the semi-final stage. 

What a battle royale it was too, with at least half of the Nailsea team spending most of the the time gliding through the turf and into the ball/shins/ankles of the Barely team. Scott and Paul Loftus decided to do likewise, and Batts is always up for a bit of horizontal action, but the team as a whole were out-rugg-ed like a B+Q doormat next to a tiger skin. Instead the boys in orange and black attempted to football their way through the tie, but were collectively having a bit of an off day, with passes going hither and thither under the constant pressure of the Nobs team.

To be fair, although they played with a robustness that occasionally strayed into a grey area, Nobs also played the best football when in possession and deserved the win. From a Barely point of view the two easily-headed finishes of the first half smarted as much as Allan's error for the third, when the ball ricocheted off his gloves and into the net. But they'll be smarting much worse from their inability to stitch anything more than the odd few passes together. 

Perhaps seven substitutes meant the ringing of changes unsettled the team. Perhaps the skiddy surface and sliding tackles - at one point it was getting silly - did the job. Whatever it was, the real Barely only came to the surface in fits and starts - most often through the reliable figure of Richie, who picked up his habitual Man of the Match award. Other notable performers were the never-knowingly-undersold Scott, the blur of activity that is Adam and decent back-line efforts of Batts and the returning Jim Banton. Paul T and Rob also came on to show some good touches, as Barely made efforts in the second half to get back in the game. The closest they came was Scott's cross met by a flying Kevin, but sadly just the wrong side of the post to register the much needed goal.

Nobody had a bad game. But overall Barely couldn't find the composure to match their effort, and bow out of the competition nursing a few bruises to bodies and pride. After the miraculous 2017, 2018 has begun like what this man below thought would be a satisfying fart, but turned out to be something else.

A Tale of Two Athletics

Barely Athletic 3  Russell Athletic 2

                                                Al

            Dave H            Danny              Paul L              Colin

            Darren             Chris                Scott                Kevin

                                    Gareth             Adam

Subs:

Batts

Mike

Laurie

Bob

Kieran

So, it is generally the received opinion amongst top flight managers that the best way to wash out the downer of a defeat is to return to winning ways. A simple mantra that translates itself all the way down to the very base of the football pyramid. However, Barely endeavoured to make hard work of this, nearly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and even contributing a player to assist in their near downfall. More about that later.

So bulging is Barely’s current player roster these days that they arrived at Coombe Dingle with 5 subs and boasting two goalies (Three if you include Gareth. But we don’t. Not anymore.). Batts in charge for the game selected a positive attacking starting line up hoping to force the issue “Early doors”. Quickly the Barely forward line set about putting this into action. Following a series of probing attacks Chris found himself on the edge of the box collecting a pass from Scott. Driving into the box his weak cutback was poorly fielded by the Russell defence and Darren latched on to it and drove the ball into the far post from tight angle.  

The game then entered into a more even affair with both sides gaining possession and giving it away again in typical Sunday league style. The game was fairly open and end to end with the slightly heavy pitch sapping energy from ancient legs. Being generous we could supply this excuse as Barely contrived to supply a few comedy moments in defence and attack. One passage of play saw Danny and Paul managing to tackle each other presenting the ball to the forward for a chance that he lumped into Al’s arms. The other end saw Kevin precisely slotting the ball over the bar from 6 yards following a well worked Barley free kick.

Before half time came Barely doubled the lead when Kevin, making up for his easier missed chance, Slalomed in to box, riding a challenge or two and neatly planted his shot past the keeper.

At half time Batts cautioned keeping the game tight for 15 minutes and rotated a few players to conserve energy, with Batts now on in defence with Chris, Paul moving up to midfield and Mike replacing Darren on the wing.

Russell similarly sought to bring on fresh legs, but it was a surprise to all when Kieran stepped into their forward line brandishing his fluorescent pink socks, should anybody dare to not know where he was at any given moment. Although his introduction to Russell was to prove key, his influence could do nothing about the first move of the half. Clearly with Batt’s halftime words ringing in their ears the Barely forwards launched up the field with Adam latching on to a long ball and scampering into the box from the right. His lofted cross skimmed off Kevin’s bonce and crept into the net off the post.

With Barely three nothing to the good they collectively may have thought that the day was theirs. But as we all know, especially at our ages, starting to party too early often sees us tucked up in bed with a nice mug of cocoa by 9. Anyway, there was a whole half to go and Barely began to recede into their shell. Pegged back by crisp Russell midfield play and forwards holding the line, there was also the additional challenge of Kieran’s long throws. These bombs were being hurled into the box aimed at their tall defender to flick on and were almost impossible to stop.

The pressure told midway through the half with Dave coming off better in an aerial contest which flattened the Russell forward. Penalty. Possibly soft was the black and oranges view but they would’ve shouted for it themselves. Kieran stepped up due to an absence of volunteers and planted the kick bottom left leaving Al no chance. Russell’s second, again swept in by Kieran, was a result of nice wing play and a cut back.

The following twenty minutes became more and more frantic for the pressed Barely backline with the whole team refusing to help themselves by not retaining possession. Sporadic attempts up field were fizzling out and another Russell attack was mounted. Fortunately, the team held firm for long enough and as the final whistle blew there was a palpable sense of relief.    

It was good to get back to winning ways but the performance, although better than the last game, still could do with some refinement. Although, at least Barely won’t be playing against their own frustrated goalie each week!! Man of the match this week was Kevin for his all round display and two goals.

report by Chris

Barely Top Scorers!

Big Caveats:

1. These are the scorers since the inception of the blog. There may be a record of pre-blog scorers somewhere in the loft of Nick/Ioan/Jerry/someone's house. I know both Jim Fry and Richie's goalscoring exploits stretch back further than the below, for instance, as do others: Nick, Ioan, Mani to name just a few.

2. Not all matches played since 2006 are actually on the blog. I'd guess there are at least six missing; possibly more. So if anyone has insight on this I can update. I have a hunch Adam might be due a couple more goals, amongst others?

With that in mind, having trawled through the match reports, this is what the data threw up:

Jim Semmence     28
Lefils                    27
Richie C               15
Adam                   12
Tom Pinnell         12
Andy Lilford       11
Sam                     11
Jim Fry                10
Batts                    10
Manrouf              10
Darren                   8
Paul Tovey            7
Paul Loftus           6
Mike Graney        5
Christov                5
Chris Smith          4
Alex                     4
Ioan                      4
Rich Jackson        3
Dan Hird              3
John Rossetti        3
John Trimble        3
Jim Banton           2
Paul Taverna        2
Scott                     2
Lee Douglas         1
Gareth                  1
Lewis Batten        1
Andy Lucas          1
Roly                      1
Jerry Gyde            1
Rich Sloper           1
Bob Lynn              1
Nick Ambler         1
'Young' Rich         1
'Other' Tom           1
Phil                       1
George                  1
Mystery John        1
Bradley                 1
Danny                   1
Alastair                 1

The surprise for me, totting all this up, was not that Jim and Lefils were streaks ahead of anyone else, but the regularity with which Batts used to crash in goals charging up from left-back!

Notable contributions from defence also from the youngsters Andy Lilford and Tom Pinnell and of course from midfield, the indefatigable Richie C.

No doubt there will be corrections. I've hazarded some early goals from 'Jim' and 'Jimmy' were Jim Semmence and I think those guesses are pretty solid. There was a goal given to 'John' which I think was John Rossetti so I've given that to him.