AA1 v Queens Park Rangers 16/05/10

‘He’s the best player I’ve ever seen’

Looking to build on last’s week’s 1-0 win and continue to build fortress Paine Reserve, the other Queens Park Rangers crowd were the opposition for Game 6 of the season.

We were pretty much at full strength, probably for the first time this season, with at least 50 bucks worth of playing talent waiting eagerly on the bench. The match started well, with some open following football from both sides, mostly us, as we looked to establish some dominance and maybe even ‘send out a message’ to the rest of the league. The cross field balls from left to right kept Birchy busy, he was up and down more often than a hookers panties, and was a constant menace to their unfortunate left back, running rings around him.

However, all this work was undone with a route one ball down the middle which saw the QPR score totally against the run of play. It was the only blotch for the defence who followed up last weeks clean sheet with another solid performance. And sadly for the QPR the goal was the only chance they would have for the rest of the game. Cue the comeback. With sleeves rolled up the midfield of Birchy, Rory, Simbad, Richie and Bren looked to get back on top. The lead didn’t last long and a genius piece of skill from Simba on the edge of the box saw his left foot shot nestle in the corner of the net. Controlling the ball brilliantly and expertly kicking it in with his shin wrong footed the keeper completely. Simba’s next telling contribution was to get stamped bringing back memories of a certain Eric Cantona, the ref rightly awarded a free-kick. But just after the whistle, John playing at left back unleashed a venomous left foot shot from fully 30 yards that rattled the cross bar, it would not have counted had it gone in but what a strike.

It was the sign of things to come, however, as just 5 minutes later John did find the back of the net with another rocket shot from wide on the left of the area. The goalie didn’t even see it coming and that took us in to half time 2-1.

The second half was more a procession of attacks and they never really troubled us. The third goal was always coming, Andy volleyed into the top corner after Paddy, who had a great game up front, nodded the ball down to find him in space and unmarked. We could have scored a bucket load more as Simba, Paddy, Michael Michael, Louie, Birchy, Andy again and Danny all went close. A great piece of counter attacking football nearly resulted in what would have been an early candidate for goal of the season, from defending a corner we swept the ball forward from back to front but Bren’s 25 yard shot flew just over the bar. Not so much of a ‘message’ being put out to the league, but certainly a ‘footballing lesson’ for the younger QPR lads.

So on to MOM, there were lots of candidates for this one. The best team performance of the season so far, meant a lot of good individual performances across the park from back to front on a day we really clicked. However, it was Kevin our 14 year old Lino who picked out the player of the game.

Eddie: ‘ whodoya think was th best player out there eh? ‘
Kev: ‘ err don’t punch me….. ‘
Eddie: ‘ Neh ya fanny who was the best player out there ‘
Kev: ‘ I don’t know his name, but that right winger is probably the best player I’ve ever seen ‘

Of course our Kev was talking about the irrepressible Birchy who did put in a great shift combining flair and work rate. For those of you new to Barnstoneworth Birchy picked up the ‘Second Team’s No 1 Fan’ award last season but Birchy has now stepped up – he’s got his own fan club!

See Kev’s become a fan of Birchy on Facebook at www.facebook.com.au/secondteamsno1fan so far it’s up to 17 members, worryingly for Birchy they’re all 15 year old boys!!

Top of the league. Roll on next week..