Upper Clatford  U13   1   Barton Stacey U13   0

Liverpool v Manchester United, Arsenal v Chelsea, Super Sunday they call it, well the really big game was on Saturday, Clatford v Barton.  Upper Clatford chasing their fifth league title in as many years; Barton Stacey one of their main rivals throughout that time having the upper hand in the cup. 

Everyone met successfully at the newly refurbished ground, the controversial car park complete. The pavilion, which once resembled a little corner of Kosovo, now fully refitted and offering a full range of facilities including tea, coffee and smart new loos.

Upper Clatford were at full strength, Jack Dunning returning in defence, new signing, striker Eliot playing for the first time against Barton. 

Barton Stacey were without James Brooke, Graham White shuffling his side, to play a five man midfield with Michael Taplin the lone striker. 

Captains Coetzee and Aldridge, old acquaintances, shook hands and tossed the coin, Barton won and kicked off and within five minutes fell behind; Clatford’s new signing Eliot cutting in from the right to score.  From the neutral’s point of view it was just what the game needed.  Barton Stacey drawing breath and driving at Clatford’s defence with some swift attacking football.  Chances were few and far between, those that came were hard won and goals denied by the skill and effort of the two keepers and their defensive lines.  In a ding-dong first half, Clatford just about worth their one goal lead.

As the guns raged out from the neighbouring wood and dead game began to pile up in the nearby field, Barton’s footballing host returned to a very much “live” game, resuming their efforts to break the defensive Schiltrom of the Clatford back line.  Again and again they threw themselves at the Clatford line only to fire over or wide. Barton’s midfield ran miles, as did Michael Taplin in their efforts to gain a point but all to no avail as the cramp riddled ref called time on a superb game of football.

Barton’s man of the match could have gone to any one of 13, but mention must be made of Ollie Richards in goal, suffering from severe bruising to his fingers he kept his side in the game with some superb saves. Alex Coetzee and Dan Pomroy (about to begin a two week spell as Digger Dan from down under) defended superbly against a couple of the best strikers around. Full backs Danny Tuson who defended stoutly and were quick to join in attacks, Luke Bacon and Sam Hadlington in the midfield engine room, Michael Taplin currently in a superb vein of form, Nick Bearpark, Charles Sherwood, Connor Jones and Sam Burrows who were all required to play in unfamiliar positions and William de Cani who ran around a lot. 

A great game enjoyed by players and the many spectators alike. Played out in glorious sunshine and all for free, whisper it quietly but you’d pay to watch this kind of stuff!