29^th March 2008 

Barton Stacey U13     4     Littleton U13     0

With a possible final league position of third to fifth, this final league game of the year was a must win for Barton Stacey.  Littleton, two places below Barton Stacey had proved tough opposition away from home earlier in the year, Barton triumphant by four goals to three. 

Last game of the season always guarantees a full house, shoulder to shoulder for at least ten yards of the touchline; Mrs Coetzee deserving special mention for standing with the common fan, and not taking her seat in the ladies stand by the window radiator in the pavilion, alongside radiator regulars Mrs de Cani and Mrs Taplin.

Barton Stacey fielded a reduced squad.  Ollie Richards rocked up in goal, Harry Lawton and Danny Tuson at full back. Dan Pomroy and Alex Coetzee the centre backs behind Harry Perreria, Luke Bacon, Sam Hadlington and William de Cani. Nick Bearpark and Michael Taplin provided the firepower up front, while Charles Sherwood and Daniel Ronan gave back up on the bench (if we had one!)

Barton Stacey started the game well, and were soon in front after Luke Bacon’s pinpoint cross was volleyed into the net by Sam Hadlington.  A few minutes later it was two. A superb through ball by Danny Tuson, found Michael Taplin, who’s driven cross was powerfully headed home by Nick Bearpark; a superb goal that caps a fine season for Bearpark, who, along with Harry Lawton are U12s. A year younger than the rest of the squad, they regularly punch more than their weight in one of the top U13 teams in Division 1. 

A few minutes passed before Graham White was forced into changes, William de Cani forced to withdraw after a clumsy challenge by the six foot, twelve stone colossus in the heart of Littleton’s defence. Think, Dame Ellen Mcarthur, in a rush around the world, unsuccessfully trying to nip in front of a super tanker that takes several miles to slow down and you will get the picture; Charles Sherwood coming on for de Cani in a change that was seamless as Barton continued to create chances.   

Two goals in front at half time, Littleton had threatened sporadically. As Graham White urged his side to keep playing their football, Mr Taplin sought out the emergency wheelbarrow to transport the injured de Cani from the field to his car, 

Mrs de Cani forced to concede her position by the radiator to transport her injured son to a rendevouz with a sofa and a bag of frozen peas. 

Two more goals in the second half for Barton Stacey, the third goal from corner king Luke Bacon, his superb right foot corner flying directly into the net.  The fourth goal came about after a repeat of the shipping lane incident in the first half, Michael Taplin the unlucky seafarer to cross the path of SS steamroller.  Captain Coetzee stepping up to coolly convert the resulting penalty; Taplin fished from the flotsam and jetsam to retake his place on the field. 

Three points to Barton Stacey, who after starting the season with a squad of eleven and an uncertain future, are likely to finish in fourth or fifth place in division 1, and look forward to a cup final in May.