AA4 v QP A 19/05/13

Barnestoneworth United 1 – Queen’s Park A 2 at Paine Reserve on Sunday May 19th 2013.

It was going to be backs-to-the-wall stuff for this match. Our injury list and absentees meant we had depleted numbers. One positive was that we had Al Dowling back. Amazingly he had returned early from Ireland – looked tanned, ribbed like Rambo, had developed an interest in biology and got his speed back. It was good to see that the injured players also came down to the House of Paine to cheer on the fit players. We also had a new player in our ranks. Ryan Gosling was amongst our midst. The sun was shining and the lads were positive.

Wynners went with a 3-5-2. Billy the Kid was back in goals with Anders Boyzone at right-back, Joe 90 at centre-half and the West Country’s finest export Ricky “ten pints of cider” Petchey at right back. In the middle it was Erik Morales, Gav, Brendo, with Barry Blake (left) and Al Dowling (right). Johnny Rodeo and David Beckham’s best mate Wes were up front. Joe O’Shocks and Ryan Gosling were on the bench.
The Barney Boys started the match like men possessed. Brendo put in some crunching challenges as did Johnny Rodeo up front. There was real intent in our play – the lads were playing with a sense of urgency and zest. The first goal wasn’t long in coming. A nicely threaded ball from Brendo released Johnny Rodeo. Over fifty metres there isn’t many quicker – although may be Al Dowling would give him a run for his money? Johnny got the ball under control with a minimum of fuss and headed straight for goal. One touch. Two touch. Goal. A beautiful shot that nestled into the side netting. A strike of pure quality. 1-0 to the Barney Boys.

The game ebbed and flowed. The opposition rattled our cross-bar whereas Hector had a goal-bound shot nicked off his foot at the very last second with a diving intervention. Johnny also went close to adding to his tally with a powerful header. Their ‘keeper pulled off a great diving save. Billy the Kid was having a blinder in goals as well – making three great saves from long distance shots. Their equalizer came from their danger man on the right-wing. A mazy run resulted in a shot that was saved by Billy, the rebound was blocked by big Joe Adams but the third shot managed to sneak through. 1-1 at half-time.

Again, the lads remained positive. Everyone was running their asses off and supporting their teammates. The Barney Boys were back on to the pitch first; full of anticipation for the second half. With Gav pulling the strings in midfield we started to get some chances. Wes was through one-on-one but the angle was too tight due to the on-rushing ‘keeper. Barry had a heading opportunity that was just beyond him. Hector was pushing from midfield with composure and authority – he was up-ended in the penalty area but no foul was given. Al went on a powerful run on the right; linking up nicely with Johnny Rodeo. But that final killer pass and goal eluded us.

The opposition had minimal chances in the second half – nothing that Billy the Kid couldn’t deal with anyway. One break they did get was again through their danger man; this time on the left. He managed to ride challenges by Anders and Al. He was through on goal and slipped the ball delicately over the advancing Billy. 1-2 down. The lads did not give up. It was encouraging to watch as we came in waves of attacks that resulted in numerous corners. Alas, their ‘keeper (who had a good game because he needed to be good against our attacks) did not concede again. Once again we leave empty-handed. The effort is there and thus the results will come. Final score: 1-2. Back at it again on Wednesday evening lads.

Man of the Match: Johnny Rodeo for his brilliant strike, his continuous running, his hold-up / link play and 100% effort. Very vocal on the pitch which gave great encouragement to the other lads. Well done.
Great effort: Every single player on the playing squad falls into the ‘great effort’ category this week. To a man, the effort was 100%.

Comic highlight of the match: Has to be our current injury list which includes Chris Hammerilton – spider bite; El Capitano – thigh strain; Dan – bruised ribs; Matt and Ferg – made of glass after the half-marathon; Wynners – ankle; Al – thigh; and Gav – sore groin from all his riding down in Melbourne over the weekend.