17th November 2007

Barton Stacey U13 3 Fordingbridge U13 0

The first game of a crucial five weeks for Barton Stacey; with a run of “six pointers” in the league, plus the next round of the cup to come in the weeks preceding Christmas, this tie against bottom of the table Fordingbridge would be a good chance for Barton Stacey to play themselves into some semblance of good form. In the current politically correct times it has been deemed necessary to conceal the identities of the boys involved, so sleep easy folks, names have been changed, the world’s a safer place ????????????? Graham White had a full squad of fifteen to choose from, striker Chuck Sunnywood the only doubt after spending the week in bed. Wally Rickards donned the keeper’s gloves; Gary Tawton, Alan Cootsear, Sam Diggersam and Daniel Opomoroyo formed the defence. James Babblingbrooke, Stan Haddockton, Wilhelm Dicanzio the 3rd and Luke Curedporkproduct filled the midfield. Mikel Toplino and Mick Deerpark paraded around in the striker’s positions. Ron Bones, Donny Threeson, Chuck Sonnywood and Danni waited patiently on the bench.

Fordingbridge’s form in the first half of the match belied their lowly league position; mixing tough tackling with speedy counter attacking football, they posed a real challenge for a Barton Stacey side who were struggling to get their passing game going. Latino Toplino eventually opened the scoring from an acute angle, Deerpark shepherding the ball over the line to make sure. Curedporkproduct and Babblingbrooke were both twice unfortunate to miss the target from distance before Deerpark scored Barton’s second. Two goals in front at half time, Barton Stacey were far from firing on all cylinders. Manager Graham White reorganised the back line, Sonnywood and Threeson replacing Diggersam and Tawton. Sonnywood’s impact immediate, tapping home a Dicanzio the 3rd cross from close range. Ron Bones and Danni joined the fray, Bones unlucky not to score with a powerful left foot drive.

Fordingbridge remained a threat throughout the second half, Cootsear and Opomoroyo kept busy but were never in any serious trouble Opomoroyo weaving some of his African magic eventually ran out of stepovers; Cootsear turning defence into attack with some clever passes; either would have been a fair candidate for man of the match. Barton keeper Rickards pulled off three superb point blank saves as the game drew to a close and Barton took the points that keep them in 3rd place in Division 1. And if the world’s a safer place for changing a few names, then, in the words of an incredulous Hugh Falkus, fishing writer and keeper of chickens (I think) “ My Cock’s a lobster!”