Earlier in the season Andover New St had beaten Barton Stacey for the first time in six seasons.  New St finding the net five times, Barton, despite creating the greater number of chances, failing to trouble the scorers.  Graham White’s pre-match talk focused on the need to take the chances when they presented themselves.

Barton Stacey started the game well, dominant for the majority of the first half, they had by far the greater of the possession and created more chances.  New St’s strength lying in their quick attacking play, took the lead late in the half with a swift breakaway goal scored by Barton old boy Robbie Skeates. 

A goal behind at half time, Barton remained confident that they could win the day; Score one goal and a second would undoubtedly follow. Resuming the first half as they had finished the first, Barton continued to press the New St back line. All the signs of a good Barton performance were in place, The Chuckle Brothers - Coetzee and Pomroy bickering away in defence, a sure sign that they are on top of their game.  James Brooke and William de Cani rampaging up and down the flanks, confident in the support behind of full backs Harry Lawton and Danny Tuson. Luke Bacon’s cultured feet spraying the ball around in midfield alongside the growling midfield marauder Sam Hadlington.  Michael Taplin ran and ran like only he can, firstly alongside Charles Sherwood, who had to retire through injury, then with the crash bash of Connor Jones, and finally partnering nippy Nick Bearpark.  All had chances to score, along with every player in the midfield, but were constantly denied by the keeper, defender, post or firing narrowly wide.  A sporting and skilful New St grabbed a second goal late in the game and took the points from a tie in which Barton had done everything to win the game bar put the ball in the back of the net.  .

Players and spectators alike shrugging their shoulders and leaving the field to reflect on a crazy game of football that highlighted one of the chief attractions of the sport: The dominant team does not always win. There is always uncertainty in the outcome of a match, anything can happen, no matter what the difference in league position, amount of possession or number of chances created, There is little you can do if it is not your day but keep your head up and keep plugging away with the knowledge that your luck will change soon. On another occasion this could easily have been a two or three nil victory to the boys from Barton and no one would have grumbled. Today was New St’s day who are now officially recognised as Barton Stacey’s “bogey team” which is apt as they also play in green!