It was top v bottom in this re-arranged game and both sides looked to have a number of changes since the last time we played out a 0-0 draw just six weeks ago.

On Sunday the team was decidely average. It took one short attacker and a quick throw-in, to bamboozle four watching defenders round the keeper and score the first goal. So that’s an average of any midget attacker being as good as four defenders.

A severely depleted squad turned up at blustery Heffron Park to take on Coogee in what promised to be a clash of two of the worst teams in the league. We just about managed to get 12 players, and Coogee were down to the bare 11 which says a lot about how both teams seasons appear to have panned out. Flanno in the sticks, a back three of Joe, Bull and Fergs, midfield consisted of Wes, Chris, Sean and Wynton, Ewan, Marty and Dan up front, and voyeur Dan watching from the sidelines.

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We were playing top of the table Kings at their home pitch with a reduced squad due to injuries. The odds were certainly against us but we proceeded to do what we do best – put in a serious shift when everything is against us.

After a surprising return to form last weekend it was a trip to Turruwul Park to face league leaders Redfern.  We beat them 1-0 at the start of the season, and back then things seemed a lot rosier, and this was always destined to be a tough game.

We had won three and lost four. A very hot and cold season so far. We needed to win this game if we were to remain within the hunt for the top four. We started with a 4-4-2 formation. Wynners in goals; a back four of Anders, Joe A, Joey and Fergs; Sean, Mark, Chris, Niall, Wes in the middle; and Dan H up front. Wes was relieved to not be playing at centre-back.

The starting lineup was Flanno in goal, Joe Adams (RB), Fergal (LB) with Wynton and Wes the surprising (CB) combination.  Midfield of, Sean (RM), Tinder and Niall in the centre, Alex (LM)and Marty and Dan H up front.

So the scene was set right from Friday night when Wynton wrote the pre match words of motivation via the official Barnestone communication portal that is whatsapp, and I quote “Lads don’t forget about our game tomorrow morning. It’s an early kickoff, so don’t be having an all nighter on the booze”. Leading by example, Wynton made sure he was home by 7.45 am in the morning. This was confirmed with a sobering message before he hit the sack stating “large mocha for me also as I’m steaming still” (Michael Palin would have been proud of this true Barnestone spirit).

Chances were at a premium. Our first chance after thirty minutes resulted in the opening goal. Marko took a short corner to GI Joe who delicately scooped the ball to the back post. Big Stu was there to head the ball in from two inches out. 1-0 to the Barney Boys. We held firm for the rest of the half. 1-0 at half-time.

Well it was a lovely day, right up until the moment we tried to start playing football.  With an almost full squad,  Dan Hogan ready to make his debut, and Marti back from illness, we actually had three strikers available, so we started off as a 4,5,1. (No, we really did)

A cold, rainy, blustery Sunday saw Barnstoneworth AA4s kick off the season in true style. A new look team took to the field, with some old heads still knocking about.

After a weeks rest due to some wet weather, the Barney boys were back in action at the house of Paine. We all felt a bit robbed getting beaten 3-2 by Dunbar in the first game of the season, so we were out for revenge.

Mascot Kings 2 – BUFC 2 at L’Estrange Park on Sunday May 26th at 1pm.

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 is always strange playing against a “B” team. Does playing for a “B” team mean that you weren’t good enough for the “A” team? Or does that particular club have so many players that they can field two teams of equal standard in the same league? 

It was a tough pre-season. Those Cairo Street steps don’t get any easier! So, it was great to get to Heffron Field for the first game of the season. The pitch looked dodgy – long grass and virtually no markings. The two foot, four inch ref reassured us he would do his best and that the conditions were the same for each side.

It was a beautiful day down at Paine Reserve. The sun was shining and the field was in good condition – a perfect day for a game of footie. The AA4 lads were down a few players but were still in confident mood of making it three wins in a row. The opposition looked like they had decided to field their under-16’s team rather than their AA4s. Despite their youthful expressions, they looked fit and ready to run all day. Thus, they were not to be under-estimated.

After two defeats to start the season, the Barney Boys needed a victory to get the show back on the road. A home match against Sydney Uni was the start of the fight-back for the AA4s. Speaking of fights – the AA2s put on some great pre-game entertainment with their re-enactment of WrestleMania 29. It certainly got the AA4 lads pumped up. Doctor T banged out 300 push-ups and declared he was ready to play football.

A sunny Sunday arvo saw a rejuvenated AA4 team take on what was supposed to be a pretty weak Redfern side. Having smashed Sydney Uni 7-1 the week before, the lads were hoping for more of the same. During the team talk, B1 of Bananas in Pjamas (Wynton) claimed he wanted everyone’s name on the score sheet. The outlook looked promising.