Match Reports AA4 v Queens Park 8/08/10

Barnestoneworth arrived at Queens Park, with ideas of a top four finish still mathematically possible, and delivered yet another performance worthy of a top 2 side.

This weeks opponents, Queens Park, fielded a side that had in the past proven to be a fitter and more physical side than the reds. However, it quickly became apparent that BUFC had improved both their fitness levels and their composure.

In the opening 5 minutes Barnestonworth broke into the Queens Park half with purpose several times. On the third break Bryn had found space on the right side and whipped a ball across the face of goal but, putting it mildly, Dave Rees could not apply the touch that would have mattered! BUFC continued to press against a side that already started to show signs of tiredness and disorganisation, so surely the goal would come.

It surely did. Just over the half hour mark and after some inspired substitutions from the BUFC bench, a corner swung to the far post and met the firm head of The Nameless One. Half time arrived – 1-0 Barnestoneworth.

Barnestoneworth are now all too familiar with disappointing and late equalisers, so there was a valid concern that the one goal would not be enough. Their experience has begun to show as the reds grafted to cover one-another and quickly cleared out dangerous looking balls. However, QP had their chance. No 11, Queens Park’s only real attacking threat, managed to break the reds lines and get a good strike away. Lucky for the reds Gary stood his ground and made an intelligent block with his left knee, giving away a corner which came to nothing.

As Queens Park began to play more attacking football it left them very exposed on the flanks and at the back. A long ball from midfield looped over a tired and rather slow back four and Boom Boom found himself clean through. Shrugging off two defenders who battled to get a challenge in. Boom Boom broke across the keepers left-hand-side a clinically side footed the ball into the top right hand corner, to a welcome cheer of relief from a team tired of clinging on to solitary goals.

A 2 goal lead became 3 as ‘Boom Boom’ added to his tally. A defensive error from a QP full back deflected and bounced up neatly for Boom Boom. With the keeper floundering in no-mans-land the game was put to bed with an elegant lob which found the net. Bryn made it four minutes later with a sweetly struck, left foot volley and that was game over.

BUFC, despite their 4 goal lead, showed a relentless work ethic. They hustled and frustrated a poor QP side to the last minute. The frustration showed as several QP players tried to hide their weak performance behind petulant and ironic snipes between themselves – the second team from the top 4 to be out played by the reds and to show a bad attitude in defeat.

Good work fellas.