Tidworth Royals U13 2 Barton Stacey U13 6

After last weeks horror show against Andover New Street it was important that “Toast” sponsored Barton Stacey returned to winning ways against mid-table Tidworth Royals. Graham White led the way from Barton Stacey. With no left indicator on his car the ride for the following cars was a thrilling one; Mrs Taplin coping the best with the surprise left hand turns; cornering at “Gambon” nothing compared to the slide turn into Shipton Bellinger High St.

Dan Pomroy was out through illness, Sam Burrows replaced him at centre back alongside Alex Coetzee. Victor versatile – Nick Bearpark moved to right back, Harry Lawton at left back. Five minutes into the game William de Cani opened the scoring for Barton Stacey with a fiercely struck shot. Tidworth responded well slicing through Barton’s defence to equalise, and that was the game over. Barton Stacey raised their game scoring another four goals before half time to snuff out any hope Tidworth had of getting anything from the game. At times the football from Barton Stacey in the last third of the pitch was sublime, neat passing movements from Michael Taplin, William de Cani, Sam Hadlington, Luke Bacon and James Brooke had Tidworth on the back foot. Charles Sherwood chased every ball in to the box and was rewarded with a hat trick all from inside the sixyard box. Michael Taplin picked up the other two goals to take his tally for the season to 6 from 6 games.

Tidworth had a brief period of pressure in the second half, keeping Coetzee and Co on their toes; Barton keeper Ollie Richards pulled off two good saves before conceding Barton’s second of the game. Connor Jones and Danny Tuson came off the bench, as manager Graham White experimented with different formations. Nick Bearpark fired narrowly over from a yard out, and Luke Bacon nearly caught the keeper out with a long range lob, before the lady referee called time on the game. A fantastic first half display by Barton Stacey, who, with the game won at half time took their foot off the pedal, unlike Mrs Taplin who now refuses to “lift” on a left hand turn. Some say she was raised by rooks, on a diet of marmite and maize, others say she sleeps standing up in the wardrobe with a crash helmet on, whatever the legend, Mrs Taplin is “The Stig” Barton Stacey third in division 1