Barton Stacey’s penultimate league game of the season, and with Alderbury the likely league champions, every point vital in the shake up for places two to six. 

An early start for Barton as they travelled the distance to Fordingbridge; Mrs Bearpark and Mrs Taplin, scarred by previous Barton travel experiences, opting out of this trip over the county line. An early meeting of the navigation committee, chaired by Mrs de Cani, revealed several factors that would have to be taken into consideration.  Taplin senior and Taplin junior were to be plucked from the streets of Stockbridge en route, and on instruction from Mrs Sherwood, Mr Sherwood was to be steered away from the bright lights of the ice cream emporiums of the New Forest.  So with full agreement between head navigator and the Tom Tom, the Barton Stacey U13 parade headed for Salisbury, scene of some nightmarish match day traffic incidents in previous years.  Salisbury was forewarned, streets were closed and the Barton procession waved through.  Fordingbridge was made within an hour,  a thoroughly enjoyable travel experience, summed up in the words of B.A Baracus      " I just love it when a plan comes together"

Rooted at the foot of the table, Fordingbridge were brim full of confidence after picking up their first points of the season the previous week against Upper Clatford, Barton Stacey shorn of several key players through injuries picked up playing other sports, (James Brooke – rugby, Danny Tuson – skiing and Luke Bacon-basketball) kicked off and it became apparent how the point had been won, one up front, two in midfield everyone else circle the wagons around the 18 yard box, and repel all comers.  Barton Stacey pressed the game, full backs Sam Burrows and Harry Lawton pushing on, Dan Pomroy man marking the lone striker, Alex Coetzee stepping into midfield, to back up Sam Hadlington and Harry Pereira.  Nick Bearpark played his tricks on the left hand side of midfield; William de Cani chugged up and down the right.  Mid way through the first half Michael Taplin broke through the defensive phalanx pulling the ball back for Charles Sherwood to tap in from close range, a minute later the move was repeated, this time Sherwood heading the ball home.  Fordingbridge pulled a goal back when Barton fell asleep at the back, before Michael Taplin got on the score sheet after a superb through ball by Harry Pereira. Captain Coetzee scored the fourth from twenty yards out although he will tell you it was thirty, as Barton had the game wrapped up at half time 4-1 in front. 

With an eye on next weeks cup semi final, manager Graham White rang the changes in the second half.  Connor Jones replaced Michael Taplin, Danny Ronan replacing Dan Pomroy.  Fordingbridge scored a second goal in the second half when the Barton cruise control briefly malfunctioned; Dan Pomroy was given a run out as a striker replacing Charles Sherwood who had run himself into the ground.  Pomroy lethal in attack in training when given the opportunity, surprised at the technicalities required for the role in a live game, attracting advice and comment from his teammates and spectators alike.