Barnstoneworth United AA1 v Queens Park

Another beautiful day down in the lush park lands of Paine reserve saw Barnstoneworth United AA1s face off with basement dwellers Queen's Park in a must win fixture if the Barnies were to secure the sought after second spot with coogee hot on our tails.

Starting line up was Gordo in goal after doubling up for the aa2s. Boot and Joe Newman at full back with Simba and Joe P at centre half. In the middle Merv and the workhorse Davie Shannon with Alec and crowd favourite Stevie on the wings. With Zla-Tom in a mountain of snow somewhere Chris Moore, back from a sore toe injury, sat behind Washy. That left Andy P, Danny Owen and big Dave T on a strong bench.

QP started strongest putting us under early pressure and only a good save from gordo kept us from going a goal behind. It was the kickstart Barnie needed and some good work from Stevie down the right saw the ball fall to Washy and after a couple bites at it blasted home from a tight angle, 1-0 barnie after 5 mins.

Merv decided his job was done and put his hand up for the sub, on came Danny Owen who switched with Chris Moore. This would be a test for the captain who hadn't played for over a month and now had to fill in at CM. It didn't take long for Danny to make an impact, after a pin point cross from Boot found Joe Newman at the back post. Joe challenged with the keeper and knocked it down to Danny who tapped home from six yards, he doesn't miss from there. 2-0 BUFC. 

It was all barnie now and after a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box Alec stepped up for what could be goal of the season as he slotted it in the top bin with his favoured left foot, well deserved for Alec as he is so often provider. Its's taken until the second last game for Alec to let everyone know he can take a free kick!! 3-0 BUFC.

Boot went off injured after a marauding run down the left win and in came Andy who had some arrived late to the game after a crane fell onto his block of flats. Barnie well in control with Dave Shannon tirelessly working in the middle of the park as usual. He was probably doing more than usual in fact as it was about this time Chris' month off started to show and decided to just stand still in front of the back four. Joe p and Simba were winning everything that was being thrown at them in the back and Stevie and Alec were getting plenty of joy out wide.

After a short spell of pressure from Queens Park, where Gordo made a great one on one save, Barnie eventually got a fourth and all but killed the game off. After being denied moments earlier by a great save from the keeper Chris Moore turned provider with a great ball across the box to Walshy who got the deftest of touches to lob the keeper from six out. Did he mean it or did he miss hit it?? It doesn't really matter because they all count and Dave Shannon still has the title for miss of the season. 4-0 BUFC. 

Stevie was causing all sorts of trouble on the right and sent the crowd into raptures when he bagged his first for the AA1s and barnies 5th of the day. After a good knock down by washy the ball fell to Stevie who was about 12 yards out and smashed the ball into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. 5-0 BUFC.

Half Time

After the break it was clear that QP had given up and were beginning to get agitated, some good work from Alec and Andy p on the left led to a shot which the keeper spilled and Danny followed up. Danny went in for the lose ball with the keeper and after a couple of kicks from Danny the keeper finally got it under control and into his arms. The Queens Park centre half was the only player on the pitch who saw anything wrong with the challenge and threw Danny to the floor. After a bit of pushing and shoving the ref decided to send both players for an early bath. Harsh on Danny as the ref didn't look like getting involved until the Queens Park defender reacted how he did.

Davie T replaced Simba at the back and was getting stuck in straight away. After the the cards Barnie had more drive and looked like the only team to score another. A great shot from Alec came back off the post only to find Chris Moore on the edge of the six yard box to "smash home" or scuff into the bottom corner, either way it was 6-0 BUFC.

With little to do all game gordo came to collect an over hit through ball, which resulted in him getting a 2 footed tackle to the face but the big man from Glasgow just picked up his hat and watched as the Queens Park striker was given his marching orders. The ref backed himself into a corner with this decision as he had sent a Barnie man off for far less up the over end.

With Queens Park down to 9 it really was game over. Walshy finished the game off and completed his hat trick with a well taken volley after another inch perfect pass from Alec, 7-0 barnie and a great result going into the last game of the league.