On a beautiful day at a beautiful ground Barnstoneworth Athletic forgot to add the beauty of a win as they went down 4-0 to Cudal at Cudal.

An increasingly livid skipper Ewan Powell is frustrated at the inability to follow a game plan. "I spent all off season coming up with a simple game plan. It's based on a theory my father had that 90% of putts that are short won't go in. Applying this to soccer I figure that if you score more goals than the other team you will win 80 - 90% of matches. I want to get the stats guys on it but I think the final figure would be high 80's."

The game plan has not been followed yet this season and Barnies are yet to have a win. Each week there are hints of things to come and this week was no exception. Chances were made and when the passing game was used the ball moved forward well but ultimately the chances weren't taken.

Cudal jumped early and had a goal in minutes. Another followed shortly after before Barnies started to settle. Another mix up in the goal mouth saw the score at 3-0 as oranges were taken. For the second time this year Barnies were down by three but unlike last time when they salvaged a draw this time they conceded another despite a better 2^nd half performance.

Analysts at the match all agree that a key area that needs to be improved for Barnstoneworth is competing more for the 50/50 balls. Cudal showed more desire and so got the ball more often.

"They took their chances and we didn't. I still think if we'd followed the game plan then we should have come away with a win. We now need to take a long hard look at ourselves for the rest of the season" said Powell.

Unfortunately a knee injury to Ray Selmes may keep him out for a while and we wish him a speedy recovery. The team now has a week off to prepare for their next clash where results will need to be forthcoming or heads will roll according to team management. Advice is not to hold your breath.