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11th November 2007
Barton Stacey 2 Tidworth RBL 1
After last weeks hard won victory against Railway Tavern, it was important that GWA sponsored Barton Stacey maintained momentum against bottom of the table Tidworth RBL. Peter Wood and his gang’s superb firework display leaving its mark on the pitch, one corner blackened by Peter’s scorched earth policy; like a little bit of Pompeii after Vesuvius had done its piece. Manager Barry Purdue hoped for a sparkling and scorching performance from his side.
Barton Stacey’s starting line up was sans Deweys, Mickey still carrying an injury picked up against table toppers Southampton Arms, namesake Chris, in the autumn years of his footballing career, taking a well earned break. Scott Tarrant played in goal behind a back line of Chris Oliver, Wayne Turpin, Rhys Betteridge and Simon Schulze. Nick, Martyn Doolin, Luke Tiller and Alex Iddles formed a dynamic midfield. Dan De Heaume and Gary Nowel filled in up front.
After an immaculately observed Remembrance day 2 minute silence, Barton Stacey started the game well keeping the ball on the deck and playing some nice passing football, Tidworth remained dangerous on the break but had their hands full in midfield where Doolin and Iddles linked well with Nowel and De Heaume. After 10 minutes the game was held up after the Tidworth central defender bumped his head against a particularly gnarled bit of Luke Tiller, Barry Purdue coming over all “Seaside Rescue” as he raced on with one of his best bandages to staunch the blood. If such an injury had happened in a boys game no bandage could have been applied, the only treatment available to boys is cold water and crossed fingers, unless permission is sought from several relatives once/twice removed and the person fitting the bandage has qualifications commensurate with the best vet/heart surgeon in the land; In the words of Ireland’s greatest living light entertainer “Is it me?”
Barton’s industry was rewarded in the 25th minute when Iddles wriggled his way across the 18 yard box to feed Nowel wide on the left, the resulting cross met by a charging Doolin who headed powerfully into the net. Five minutes later it was nearly two, a superb diagonal cross field ball by right back Chris Oliver finding Iddles who blazed wide. Simon Schulze mirrored the move at left back switching the play in an instant from left to right to set up Doolin who was denied by the keeper.
A good first half for Barton Stacey, Barry Purdue not required to fire any rockets at half time, just requesting “more of the same”
Barton’s good form continued through to the first period of the second half, creating several chances and even hitting the bar. Tidworth rallied putting Barton’s back line under intermittent pressure. Scot Tarrant pulling off two superb saves before he finally succumbed to a Tidworth equaliser. A barnstorming last ten minutes followed, Nick Oliver replaced his brother Chris, Nick Chandler coming on for the influential Nowel. The game got niggly as both teams pushed for the points, A tired and emotional Tidworth number 7 falling out with everything and everyone, regardless of shirt colour, one lengthy exchange with his own centre back caused a great deal of amusement on the sideline. Luke Tiller was removed from play after a strong challenge, prior to Nick Chandler scoring Barton’s second from close range, guaranteeing three points and consolidating Barton’s fifth place in division 1.
