Barnstoneworth United AA1 v Coogee United AA1

It was a bright blustery day at Rowland Park as The Mighty Barnstoneworth United set out to commence their league campaign for 2021 against local rivals, Coogee United.

Gaffers Greig Taylor and Chris Moore named a starting XI of Ollie Masih (GK) Chris Moore (RB) Lee Bird (CB) Scott Duplock (CB), Ryan (LB) Sean Gray (RM) Neil Flannery (CM - Capt) Merv Stynes (CM) Shane (LM) Adam (AM) Laine (CF) Subs Ben Kisby, Jay ,Craig

Captain for the day Neil won the toss and wisely chose to play with the big wind in the first half. The lads started strong, playing a high line and "putting them under pressure" early. Our first chance arrived in the fifth minute, when a perfectly crossed ball came from the left where it was met by league debutante Sean Gray in box with only the keeper to beat, but he marginally failed to hit the target this time round.

Chances came thick and fast and Barney managed to get on the scoreboard early with Sean Gray again on hand, this time dinking it over the keeper and into the back of the net (Barney 1-0). Later during the post-match analysis at the Coaches, club legend John Morton raised some eyebrows as he said "that's exactly what I would of done". Coogee bounced back quickly, a stray ball played across the park by Adam was mistimed by Birdy at the back, Coogee played a through ball past our flat-footed defence and their nippy striker slotted it past Ollie (1-1). The local opposition didn't stop there either as things went from bad to worse when the Coogee left winger was brought down on the edge of the box by “the slightest of contact” (according to Birdy). The Coogee number 9 made no mistake from the spot (1-2). We came out fighting in true Barney spirit with some nice link up play in the middle from Merv the Magic Man and Neil, who exchanged passes then spread the ball wide to Birdy, who went on a solo run to win a throw in near the corner flag. Laine (Rory Delap’s love child, apparently) launched a throw into a flooded 6 yard box and after numerous efforts the ball somehow ended up in the back of net (2-2), claimed by both Merv and Ryan in contentious circumstances.

The equalising goal didn't last long. Coogee broke up a Barney attack and sliced open a pushed up defence with a slide rule pass that the Coogee number 9 scored made no mistake with yet again (2-3). Despite Barnstoneworth being on top for the majority of the 1st half, we went in a half time trailing by 1 with a big 2nd half needed by boys.

HT

As we kicked off playing into a big wind and strong sun in the 2nd half, Barney re-started well with some nice link up play from Big Ryan and Shane on the left, eventually playing in Adam who held it nicely and slipped Laine through in on goal where he tried but failed to chip the keeper. We defended well and kept our composure better than the first half with Ryan steadying the back 4 with his words of wisdom.

Chris Moore made some lovely darting runs up the wing linking with fellow Dubliner Sean as Barney chased another goal, while on the left Shane provided an assured presence. Despite enjoying the better of the play, things went to shite when Barney were reduced to 10 men and eventually down to 8 at one point due to a series of sin-binnings, with the ref making some increasingly questionable calls. Coogee capitalised when the big centre forward buried a header from a corner (2-4). With the opposition applying more pressure they forced a world class save from Ollie, tipping the ball wide in the dying minutes of the game.

Full time Barnstoneworth United 2 - Coogee United 4

Certainly not the result we wanted but a lot of positives to take away by the men in red and white, We go again next week!!

MTB