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.

The Long and Winding Road

Barely Athletic 2 - 4 Recliners

Allan

Dave H       Batts          Colin

Danny

Sam            Chris         Scott          Graham

Kevin          Dazza

Subs:

Adam

Mike

Laurie

Alastair

John T

As George Harrison once sang, all things must pass, and so Barely's year-long unbeaten run was unceremoniously ended by a robust Recliners performance at Combe Dingle this morning. As Batts declared after the game, it was a monkey off their back.

However things could have been different had Barely matched the positional discipline of the first half with the flowing football of the second. But much of the flowing football was coming from Recliners - how did things come to such a pretty pass?

Well, it's been a good while since the last Sunday outing, and there was certainly some rustiness. But early on Batts' experimental 3-1-4-2 seemed to be holding up, with Danny in front of the back four as Chris and Scott belted around in front of him. Graham was providing the creator role from the left, and having succumbed to a goal Allan will want to forget - the ball skewing in off his gloves - Barely nearly equalised immediately when Adam - on for Sam - just failed to connect with the latest Graham cross into the box.

No matter though - Adam made amends only a few minutes later with a goal of Gascoigne-esque flavour, as he chipped the ball (again, sent in from the left) over the onrushing keeper and ran around him to head into the net - the score now 1-1 and Barely with their tails up. With Mike taking a turn up front the Recliners rearguard suddenly had a different tactic to deal with, as the big man won the long balls and flicked them on for the dashing Adam and Darren.

The second half began with John T joining the fray on the left as Graham dropped into defence. This time Adam turned provider though, as his cross from the right was deftly converted by Darren, who steered it under the keeper.

But outside of a penalty save from Allan (after Batts made a full-length save with his hand!) that was as good as it got for Barely. Was it the sun, or the hill, or the raft of substitutions? We'll never truly know but the last half hour of the game saw Barely at their most ragged, as they conceded a third - an unlucky own goal from Man of the Match Scott - and then a fourth, as seconds after Allan's penalty save the resulting corner was buried with a header.

If Barely had been caught napping when the first goal went in, their response was to lurch up out of bed (ie score two goals) but then somehow fall down the metaphorical stairs (ie let three more in) as the long unbeaten run was not so much over, as over-turned. But, as Paul McCartney once sang, we can at least now concentrate on the cup. Adam and Graham were the noteworthy runners-up to Scott, who was so cross with himself that he said his colleagues had "no idea" if they saw him as a worthy winner. It was that kind of day.

Drawn away

HC Voyager 2 - Barely 2.

A fresh Sunday morning saw a Barely team bolstered by late additions lining up on a slightly boggy field at Combe Dingle to take on HC Voyager. Allan, Darren and Scott all passed late fitness tests, to make the starting line up which consisted of Allan in goal, a back four of Dave H, Mike, Batts, and Colin. A four man midfield of Darren, Chris, Scott, and Alistair, with John Rosseti and Jim Semmence upfront. The bench boasted the riches of 5 players, Paul Loftus (Manager for the day), Gareth, Kevin and debutants Dave and Rowley. 

A minutes silence for remembrance day was observed before the business of huffing and puffing around a football pitch began in earnest. As seems to be the pattern with games against Voyager both teams enjoyed periods of threat in the oppositions final thirds without really troubling the keeper. Jim Semmence was energetically running the channels and trying to feed in late arriving midfielders when the opportunity to punt goal wards wasn’t on. It was from one of these moves that Barely’s first goal arrived. Following some brief interplay down the left Jim once again cut in to spot a steaming scotsman careering toward the box. The pass was perfectly weighted for Scott to take it in his stride first time and plant it firmly to the side of the Voyager keeper. 

Paul rang the changes bringing on himself, Gareth, Kevin and Rowley throughout the half as the sides traded attacks, Voyager proving a handful at corners due to their numerous lengthy gentlemen dotted about their ranks. The half finished with Barely one goal to the good and there were many positive notes to the traditional halftime ritual of talking over each other.

The second period saw new guy Dave now occupying a central berth with Mike making way for Chris at the back. The break and subsequent changes along with a Voyager resurgence saw the Barely defence grossly unravelling like a 58 year old stripper (pick your own gender preference for simile purposes). Two penalty awards - One accidental handball by Chris from a wickedly bouncing through ball and an unavoidable block tackle from Dave H, meant that Barely were starting to feel the pressure. Fortunately Alan guessed right and parried the first penalty but second was confidently converted. There was enough time for a goal line clearance before Barely regained their composure to direct further attacks at the Voyager goal. Paul Loftus was all busy energy crashing around the midfield. Gareth in his roaming forward role was causing problems with his physical presence and Rowley providing tidy, pacy interplay from the wing. Barely’s second came fairly fortuitously as Chris’s looping cross shot was deemed to be too pitiful to be dealt with by the Voyager defence and was left for Alistair to gamble at the back post, shinning in a beauty from one yard.  

Voyager were not done yet and continued to probe. The pressure told after a breakaway move down the wing produced a decent cross for the tall centre forward, who managed to get his head to it and sky the ball over Allan’s groping fingers. There were a handful of close attempts by each side before the referee brought the action to a close. It was a game that could have had any score line at the end as neither did quite enough to secure the win but also didn’t deserve to lose.

report by Chris.

Biting off more than you can Chew

Barely Athletic 1 - 1 Chew Magna (4-2 on penalties)

                         Kieran
Dave H    Danny        Batts    John T
Allan          Scott        Chris    Mike
                 Adam        Gareth

Subs: Al G, Bob, Ian G

Chris suggested that his version of the match report would start with “It was a dark and stormy night”, but actually Barely Athletic continued their cup defence in bright sunshine. The stormy wind was in place however, with powerful gusts blowing left to right across the pitch which would test the judgement of both teams.

With five first-team regulars missing (Paul, Paul, Sam, Rich and Jim) there was unnerving space in the dressing room before the match. The depleted team expected a tough challenge today...

Barely began with high-tempo pressing as Scott, Chris, Gareth, Allen and Adam combined to force mistakes from the normally assured Chew defenders. Mike's long throws and Kieran’s long kicking cause some consternation as well, but the Gegenpress isn't a long-term option and Chew started to get into the game as the half went on.

Kieran was the busier of the keepers in the first half but was only stretched when pulling out a full-length dive to thwart a one-on-one. John T and Dave H saw a lot of the ball and needed to be solid to keep their wingers at bay. Then Al’s delayed bus finally arrived and Mike subbed himself off before Al was even changed. Meanwhile Danny and John had time for a hilarious running-away-from-the-ball mix-up and Scott had a brace of rasping shots collected by the keeper.

At the break Ian came on for Danny to provide fewer step-overs, but many more trademark last-ditch sliding tackles.

The second half became increasingly bad-tempered, with a lot of complaining, more foul throw-ins than we saw all last season, and an ongoing war of words between Gareth and almost everyone. On today’s evidence some may be tempted to call Chew's central midfielders cloggers but I’m sure they were just frustrated at their inability to get near Scot as he hared around the midfield winning challenges in a most Loftus-like way.

Chris was struggling with the remains of flu but managed to keep up with the pace throughout the second half. Twenty minutes in he surged into the box to finish Barely’s slickest move after Al and Gareth had exchanged passes.

The lead was short lived though, with a suspiciously offside-looking striker getting in behind Barely’s rear guard and spanking it into the corner of the net.

Mike rang the changes, hurling himself and Bob into the fray and Barely weren't going to fold. Collecting possession from another long goal kick Gareth found space and threaded the ball through to Adam, who beat one man, rounded the Keeper and resisted the temptation to kneel and head the ball over the line, only to discover the linesman's flag unjustly chalking his goal off. Then the same thing happened at the other end, although that guy was clearly miles offside and funny-looking.

The second half proceeded with Mike winning more headers then any player reasonably should, Ian diving into more last ditch tackles, Batts haring down the wing, some spectacularly wayward shooting (it was the wind, alright?) and Kieran taking the sweeper-keeper motif a little too far when jinking between two attackers as they bore down on him...

The last ten minutes saw some desperate defending, the highlight of which was from a free-kick on the edge of the D - as Kieran leapt to palm the top-corner-bound shot past the post.

And then it was penalties.

1:0 – Chris started things by sending the keeper the wrong way and calmly rolling the ball into the net.
1:1 – Chew respond with one that Kieran gets a hand to but can't keep out.
2:1 – Scot copies Chris exactly.
2:2 – Chew reply with an excellent low, hard shot that Kieran can’t get near.
3:2 – Kieran steps up to slot his own penalty home with aplomb.
3:2 – Then, with an arm thrust out at a surprising angle, he manages to reach a powerful shot and Barely have the advantage!
3:2 – Gareth swaggers up to the spot and blasts it over the bar – advantage over…
3:2 – But Kieran spots the nerves of the next Chew player, and stands up tall to parry the straight-down-the-middle shot and take the advantage again!
4:2 – And Adam thumps the last kick of the game off the goalie’s glove and into the net!

And with that Barely tucked into the delicious treats provided by Mike (veggie sausage rolls and pork pies) and Bats (fairy cakes) and headed to the bar with some mutterings about getting away with robbery...

The man-of-the-match award was won by seven clear votes. Congratulations Kieran!

Axes Ground

Axbridge 2 - 4 Barely Athletic

Kieran

Dave                Ian                 Danny                 Batts

Darren                 Chris              Scott                    Richie

 Jim                 Bob 

Subs: Gareth, Allan, Adam, Sam, Paul L

Paul Loftus took charge of Barely as part of their new guest-manager regime, and his win record remains intact after Barely survived a stern test of their ongoing annus mirablis - as yet, unbeaten in the calendar year of 2017. Axbridge know how to play good football, and for the first few minutes of this game they were giving Barely the runaround, with some neat touches and interplay to keep tidy possession of the ball.

But Barely are made of sterner stuff themselves these days, and started inching their way into the contest before any subs were called for. Both teams had their moments and Barely were grateful that Kieran, as ever, was quick off his line on more than one occasion. However, Barely's own chances were snatched at or seemed to bobble wide or sail high. Was it going to be one of those games? Thankfully not, as Jim refused to go down despite the close attention of three defenders - he wriggled through all of them and powered the ball hard and low past the keeper to give Barely the lead.

With the bit between his teeth, the smart money was now on Jim to grab his second and so it was - after sporadic attacking down the Barely left was repelled, the ball came to Mr Siemens via Richie, and he provided a deft finish from just inside the box to put the way team two goals to the good.

Axbridge were far from out of it though, and looked continuously to counter-attack with long balls from their defensive midfield pairing. One such sortie down the Axrbidge right was squared and tucked away to put the home team back in the hunt - half-time arrived with the score at 2-1 to Barely.

By now Paul was already rotating the subs, with Adam on up front alongside Gareth, and Sam and Allan in midfield. Jim's hat-trick would have to be another day, as he had to go early.

The second half began much as the first had ended; with both teams eking out half-chances and not taking them thanks to either wayward finishing or smart goalkeeping. That changed however when Darren - who was busy all game - found a way past the goalkeeper to put Barely 3-1 up. That had a visible effect on the away team, who had their strongest period of the game as they threatened the Axbridge goal again and again, and finally had their reward with a goal for the purists: Richie played the ball wide to Darren from midfield, Darren surged down the left and into the box, where he squared for Gareth. the big man helped it on to the steam train that was Richie - as the defence and goalie moved to their left, he steered it neatly the other direction: 4-1 Barely and surely now the jig was up?

No. Axbridge probably felt, not unreasonably, that the scoreline flattered Barely a little, and as the endgame approached they stepped up their game and produced a goal to rival Richie's - a delightful move down the Barely left ended with the centre-forward sending the defence the wrong way as he pulled the deficit back to two goals. Axbridge pushed and pushed, but they couldn't find another, and they began to feel the heat of the Darren/Gareth/Adam combo at the back, as Barely now created chances on the counter, but neither team added to the score.

A great day at the office all around and Richie, as he so often does, took the man of the match award as Barely's march through 2017 continued unabated - for now, at least.

Matherngate

Barely Athletic 3 Mathern 2.

Paul Loftus was guest manager for this 1st league game of the season and had a lot to live up to after Mike Graineys demolition of Voyager in the Cup.

Paul went for 442 with Kieran in goal Dave Harris Batts Mike and John Trimble at the back Dazza Loftus Chris Smith and Alan midfield with Gareth and Paul Tovey upfront.

We were blessed with John Rossetti Rich Cormack Bobby and Colin Smart as finishers!!

Jim James Semmence was also a sub but volunteered to ref first half.

Mathern arrived with only 11 men but started fiercely attacking Barely straight from the whistle however Paul Tovey Gareth both managed to put the ball in the net only to be deemed offside by a vigilant Mathern linesman who waved so often we doubted the fact he had a broken collarbone. Paul made some changes to combat the strong Mathern midfield only for Barely to get caught out by a quick throw which ended up passing Mike through his legs allowing the Mathern number 10 to slot home. At this time Alan had taking over ref duties allowing Jim S to get on the pitch. 

Half time arrived very quickly allowing Barely to regroup. John Trimble took over as ref allowing Colin to slot in at left back. Paul T left the field wishing us all the best for the second half. Gareth was rested after his lung bursting runs allowing the classy John Rossetti to play number 10.

The second half started better for Barely with some great link up play between Chris Dave Dazza and Paul Loftus the ball ending up wide right with Dazza who beat his left back and stroked the ball passed the Mathern keeper for 1.1

Now it is well known that Barely and Mathern always draw so with 25 minutes of the game left and Mathern tiring we all new the script........except Mike Grainey and Mathern.

Their small number 6 sent a hopeful ball to their number 9 which Dave Headed to clear but fail favourably for the Mathern number 8 who collected the ball in his stride and ran on towards Kieran in goal. Mike Grainey got at across and there was a meeting of shoulders and the ball skidded out for a goal kick. Mathern voiced a mediocre shout for a penalty. John Trimble asked big Mike who surprised everyone bar himself by taking the Corinthian spirit to the highest level....and confirming he felt a penalty was fair.

Much applause must be given to Mike for this as soon as the penalty was scored Barely had their tales up at the injustice of it all. 

Also Rich Cormack rocked up to play with Bob making way. 

10 minutes to go and Barely were knocking so hard on the Mathern door that a door bell was needed.

Corner after corner was defended until at last cometh the legend that is John Rossetti who rose like a salmon to deftly steer the ball over the Mathern keepers head 2.2

Barely and Mathern always draw so normal service was resumed. Even when the Mathern defender managed to hit the ball against his post and upright it would not go in because Barely and Mathern always draw. Even when Rich Cormack burst through the Mathern defence got barged but he didn't go down for a penalty . It just not the Barely way. We always draw with Mathern.

But not today!

With only seconds remaining Gareth got onto another Jim S cross . For once the flag did not go up. He was through on goal but got wiped out by the Mathern keeper.

Penalty!

Arguements were had but it was an obvious decision .

Jim stood up and sent the keeper the wrong way.

3.2 and game over.

Generally played in a good spirit and on chances alone Barely just about deserved it. 

Man of the match went to Dazza for his goal and never say die attitude. Dave Paul Loftus John Rossetti Kieran all got a mention too. But generally everyone put a shift in.

report by Batts