AA2 v Maccabi 14/04/13

Opening match ends in defeat for New Look AA2’s

It’s been all change for Barnstoneworth AA2’s over the post season with no fewer than 10 new players drafted into the squad, a new manager and a new captain. Pre-season was completely different to the year before, not helped by the fact we couldn’t get any pitches organised and so it meant that our opening game of the season was another chance for us all to get to know each other.

New manager Barry is keen to build up a massive beer kitty for the end of the season, and decided that anyone turning up even 10 seconds after midday would be fined $3 each. Starting with the fines chairman himself who had unselfishly gone via BWS on the way to the ground to grab a case of beer. There’s just no pleasing some people.

We handed out socks and what shorts we had left and everyone went out for a warm up. During which, Barry decided it would be a great idea for all of us to have a sing-a-long, pretty gay stuff. It fell on new boy Brian to get the spirits going with a song, but after 10 minutes of everyone looking at him, waiting for him to break out with ‘I’ve had, the time of my life’ he settled on ‘Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs running down the wing’! That famous number one hit from back in the 90’s.

It gave us all a laugh anyway.

Dan Taylor managed to get injured minutes before the start of the game after tripping over an ant and twisting his ankle, something usually associated with yours truly. This forced a re-shuffle.

To the start of the game and it was a pretty slow one from BUFC, as we try and get used to each other’s games. Maccabi had the majority of possession and chances but for the most part the 2 Chris’, Downer, Ste and keeper Billy (assisting us from the AA4’s) keeping them at bay.

Gerry was having a useful game down the left hand side, and was described as ‘raping’ their left back at half time. Tom doing plenty of running upfront trying to bring the other midfielders, Scott, Maggie, Cathal and Baker into the game. Sadly though every time Baker got the ball he lost it.

A couple of big saves from Billy preceded Barnstoneworth’s best chance of the game, which fell to Maggie after good work from Ste and Tom, Maggie leapt like a salmon, but couldn’t convert. A real chance went begging. Half time 0-0, and probably fair in the end.

The 2nd half got off to the worst possible start, After the original through ball was stopped by Chris Neale, BUFC failed to clear and the Maccabi striker wrapped the ball into the back of the net with a great finish.

Barnstoneworth had plenty more chances to score 2nd half, Brian, Dave and Barry all having shots either blocked or saved.

We pushed hard, but couldn’t find an equaliser, then came the killer blow, with the team pushing up searching for that goal, a through ball and Maccabi are in, 5 yards offside it must be said, and with the last kick of the game, it’s 2-0.

Overall, disappointing to lose, but some positives to take out of the game. We can only keep working hard and hopefully results will come. Next up Coogee!