The phoenix has finally risen from the ashes for Barnstoneworth Athletic, and what a pile of ashes it has turned out to be. Firstly there was the burnt offering of players to United and then were ashes upon ashes built up over the first five games of the season. Finally, Athletic managed a win against Kinross Wolaroi 3^rd XI in Orange Over 35's B Division on Saturday.

"The score was unimportant" said skipper Ewan Powell. "The important thing is we've registered our first win and we now have something to build our season upon."

The brightest feather of the Phoenix was surely the double strikes of skipper Powell, his first ever goals in competition. Reports have the first as a header from the edge of the penalty box while the second was a strike from at least 30m which was still rising as it hit the corner of the net. Other reports mentioning 'back of the head' and 'knee' should be ignored.

Other bright feathers included the fact that nine Athletic players found the back of the net in a performance in which almost all opportunities were taken. Clearly not the Barnies' style. Hat tricks to Straney and Jacobs, doubles to Kennedy, Jackson, Wennerbom, Gordon and Powell and singles to Brown and Gardiner surpassed Kinross in quantity but not the quality of goals. Two goals each to Jackie Lim and Luca Simms were exquisitely generated against a tiring defence.

Kyle Gardiner's return was welcome as it was his first appearance for the season after recovering from a broken arm. He fitted in well with the pattern of play and certainly added to the beauty of the aforementioned phoenix.

Chris Jacobs shone early with his goals but then tired woefully at the back and may as well have not been there when Kinross slotted theirs home. The rotation of keepers also proved to be a problem as some were not up to the task when Kinross were rushing forward.

"I think we were lucky the game ended when it did. If it had gone on much longer then we may have been looking at our fifth successive defeat" said Powell. Clearly the aging Barnies team were losing composure and their lack of fitness showed as Kinross came back. An appearance at training would benefit many players and brighten the plumage of the new bird.