Match Report AA2 v Coogee 01/08/10

Barnstoneworth United 2nds 1 Coogee 1

A big crowd and exciting, free flowing football was expected for this top of the table clash between 2 of the giants in the Eastern Suburbs Football League – I suppose we should have realised it wasn’t going to be our day when Sean took us to the wrong pitch (apparently not the 1st time but I can’t comment).

It was a tight, scrappy start with both teams feeling each other out (easy Potter) with Coogee creating the best chances and having the lion’s share of the possession. We could have been a goal down had been it been not for the athleticism of Brian in goal pulling off a great save.

GOAL!! Barnstoneworth – Big punt up the field from Brian put the Coogee defence under pressure and with some great closing down from Abdul the keeper missed kicked the ball straight into the path of the big dog Granty. Just like a when eating a Big Mac and fries Granty finished off the chance with ease – lobbing the keeper from 18 yards. Although I think he needs to work on his goal celebration but we’ll put that down to lack of practice.

The rest of the half went by with Coogee on the attack and putting us under pressure. There was little of the attractive football that McGuiness’ sides have been known for and we struggled get into the game but finished the half 1 nil up.

The 2nd half started similar to the 1st with Coogee on the attack and looking dangerous with our defence and Brian doing well to keep us in the game.

GOAL!! Coogee – Ball passed out to the wing and their right back showing me a pair of clean heels taking the ball to the bye line and fizzing it across. Brian did well to get a hand on it but the ball fell to their striker who put it in the net.

At 1-1 we looked on the ropes. It was summed up with a stray pass from Potter and Granty nearly having a heart attack, screaming his head off like someone had just pinched his last cookie.

The last 10 minutes we looked a little better and Abdul used his pace to beat the defender and narrowly putting the ball wide.

Final whistle – 1-1.

All in all it was a relatively poor performance from Barnstoneworth but playing badly and still getting a result is what the top teams do, especially against good sides.

Good luck for the rest of the season lads
Birchy

MoM – Brian