3rd November 2007  

Cup 1st round       Barton Stacey U13 4 Tidworth Royals U13 1

Toast sponsored Barton Stacey’s first game for three weeks; their last game an away league victory against today’s opposition, a jolly affair played in great spirit by both sides, how things can change! In the interim Tidworth had played two league games, winning both games convincingly. Barton Stacey were without Harry Lawton, Nick Bearpark moving to left back to cover. Dan Pomroy shifting to right back, Sam Burrows partnering Captain Coetzee in the centre of defence in front of keeper Ollie Richards. William de Cani, Sam Hadlingon, James Brooke and Luke Bacon made up the midfield, Charles Sherwood and Michael Taplin flounced around up front. Danny Tuson and Connor Jones provided back up on the bench.

Within a minute of the start it was apparent that Tidworth were out to unsettle Barton with a physical game, not the wisest ploy against this bunch of Barton boys. After several balked runs, William de Cani ran very quickly down the right hand side and crossed for Charles Sherwood to score from close range. One goal behind after five minutes, Tidworth’s roughhouse tactics were not working, amid a flurry of bib throwing and foot stamping it became apparent that Tidworth had not come with a plan B Tidworth were fortunate to equalise after 10 minutes, a deflected shot giving Ollie Richards no chance. In reply Barton Stacey went all “Strictly Come Dancing”, Snake hips Dan Pomroy wiggling his way along the by line, Ollie Richard’s hands in the perfect position for a stunning save, Michael Taplin full of Latin thrust as he scored Barton’s second, and James Brooke’s tender touch to set up Taplin for his second was magnificent, back to goal, all heel and toe, hips going one way, foot going the other; Anton Dubec at his best, 10 points from Arlene and a “you’re my favourites” from Bruce; A stunning piece of football from Brooke and Taplin.

Half time and Tidworth had not seen things in the same light. The Tidworth manager accompanied by his own fourth official, replete with clipboard and monitor, delayed the restart by five minutes. Coming over all “Craig Revel Horwood” and taking issue with most of the ref’s decisions, no argument about the goals just a few queries about throw ins, pass backs and the number of lifts allowed in the pasodoble. Despite the distractions, and the physical aspect of Tidworth’s play, Barton Stacey stuck to their game; Football would win the day. Luke Bacon hit the bar with an instinctive volley before; Michael Taplin scored a third, instigating another bout of the vapours for the Tidworth bench, the coach calling his team from the field unless it was ruled offside. This crazy game needed “closure” William de Cani provided it with a piece of football that left the opposition in stunned silence. Picking up the ball on his own 18 yard line he set of on a lung busting run, outpacing the oppositions midfield, beating three defenders and the keeper to score Barton’s fourth; as emphatic a statement as one could hope to make as to who were the better team on the day. Ollie Richards pulled off a superb point blank save in the final moments as Barton headed into the second round of the cup, an away tie against second division Lyndhurst. The Tidworth bench retiring for an afternoon of whale music, soothing smelly oils and a dimly lit room.

Congratulations to Sam Hadlington and William de Cani who have been selected for the U13 League Representative side.