Match Report AA1 v Olympic Eagles 06/04/14

Barnestoneworth AA1’s kicked off the new 2014 season with a new look side after club owner Fincent Tan gave the mercurial Eddie Sweeny an open cheque book to bring back the league title. Out went fans favourite Lynchy and messers Passey, Rodgers, King, Watson, Morton and Faulkner were all deemed surplus to requirement.

On a rain soaked pitch the new look Barnestoneworth got off to a great start when on his debut Irish Joe opened the scoring with a neat finish. The scoring continued when making his first team debut a svelte looking Nick Heather played a pin point ball over the top for Irish Joe to convert his second of the half. With the team looking strong at the back and midfield Barnestoneworth went on attack again when Heather supplied a fantastic ball to big Danny who held up the play before dinking the ball over for Jo to head in to complete an amazing first half hat trick. Barnestoneworth battled hard and finished the half with Olympic not registering a single shot on goal.

At half time the gaffer warned of the dangers of not getting complacent and finishing Olympic off in style. It all looked to be going marvellously when a corner was swung in and Heather converted to make it 4-0. As the young Dubliner wheeled away in delight the ref blew up for what he deemed a foul from club record signing Palmer on the keeper. As the heavens opened and the pitch became flooded Olympic finally sprang to life and got on the scoresheet. Palmer now playing centre half after a dismal opening season won the tackle but the ball unluckily ricocheted off the Eagles number 10 into his path to smash an unstoppable shot past the helpless Parkinson. This sparked the Eagles to life and they packed the midfield to try and counteract the unstoppable Richie and Ryan with great effect. Barnestoneworth tried to continue their passing game but with the pitch now resembling a swimming pool we’re finding it hard to use fullbacks Colly and southern Joe to the same effect as they had in the first half. Tackles starting flying in hard and Ryan found himself being attacked by an unhappy Olympic player after winning the ball cleanly who then sparked a 15 man scuffle with the Olympic man receiving a straight red for his reactions. Olympic though weren’t finished and a hit another from 25 yards which went through Parkinson’s hands after been blinded by the downpour. Barnestoneworth hung on in there for a great opening day win though showing the resilience that was missing last year with a very pleasing team performance.

Some outstanding debut performances as well as the old steady heads of Moorman and baldy Nick show Barnestoneworth look set to have a very promising season.