Clash of the Titans
After what seemed like months of touring The Sewerage Works Ground finally saw a home capacity crowd (6 Team Mates, 3 Wags, 3 Orphans, man and wife with sprog, 1 Jack Russel and 1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier) for the top of the league clash against Offerton Green, the game everyone had been talking about! This was a chance for Barnstoneworth to close the gap between the two sides to just 2 points.
After a night of heavy rain, and although a little boggy in the middle, Barnstoneworth ground staff confirmed The Sewerage Works Ground fit for action. The last time these two teams met Offerton were Green with envy when Barnstoneworth snatched a point at Stockport St. Georgans. This was going to prove a real test for both teams...Could Offerton hold on to their unbeaten record, or just leave with a point? Or could Barnstoneworth upset their rivals and bag all 3?
With Offerton winning the toss and opting to play from the Copse End the match kicked off - Barnstoneworth playing with the sun in their eyes and up hill. Despite the slight disadvantage Barnstoneworth spirits were high, and high was the optimum word! Was it a lucid dream or were all of Barnstoneworth spaced out on acid?, as 20 secs after kick off Barnstoneworth stood around and watched Offerton romp through the middle and slot one in to take the lead 1-0. Alarm bells started ringing and Barnstoneworth finally woke up and got out of bed, but this was the wake up call they needed, either that or some form of severe gonad torture. After coming to grips with the unexpected setback Barnstoneworth started to play some great football and they were certainly a good match for the visitors, if not better. Within 10 mins a great ball through from Croucher saw Stevie Echo bend one round the keeper straight into the bottom right hand corner to level the score.
Barnstoneworth really started to gel and kept on pushing. Yet another great ball through from Croucher saw Echo hit one from just outside the 5 yard box only to be denied by the crossbar. A great run from Pricey down the right wing to the goal line who screwed the ball back for Jono to drive one in which was unfortunately blocked by Offerton’s defence. Barnstoneworth had the better of the first half, the back four rock solid, Robbo, Jono and Robbie (MOM) doing the business in the middle and the 2 wingers consistently breaking through. Although Offerton had a few attempts at goal they were all off target from way outside the box and to be fair Barnstoneworth should have been at least 3-0 up if it hadn’t been for the stupid early goal, however the 1st half score remained 1-1.
The 2nd half saw a few substitutions at various points - On came Screaming Lord Fitzy, Paul, Ivor and James. Possession was fairly equal at the start, but Offerton started to push harder and picked up more of the ball. The slick football played by Barnstoneworth in the 1st half unfortunately wasn't reflected in the 2nd and unrest set into the Barnstoneworth camp. Fitzy's frustration started to reveal itself and his lack of determination to win the ball back brought on a spate of self-bollockings. Then big Phil vented the entire contents of his spleen on Ivor bawling "Get him off the pitch, he's fuckin' shit!" which echoed around The Sewerage Works Ground. Offerton sensed Barnstoneworth’s unrest and after 20 minutes scored a header in the top left corner to take the lead 2-1. Then two more killer blows - 2 headers in the last 10 minutes in the exact same spot to extend their lead to 4-1. Despite the score line Barnstoneworth had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Paul was put through on goal. All he had to do was put the ball into the back of the net, but unfortunately Paul had his heart set on the Miss of the Match Trophy at the Annual Awards and decided to nurse the ball out for an Offerton goal kick. And then came the substitution of century which saw Fitzy who'd come on as sub being sub'd again! A justifiable act by the management to stop Steve self harming!
Barnstoneworth were definitely the better side in the 1st half and gelled as a team and the formula shouldn't have been changed - A substitution learning curve for the management!!! Despite the loss, a great game of football and an unfair result!
Beer, scouse and freshly baked rolls were consumed in the Pen (for some of us soup) after the game, but more importantly no injuries to report. And much to the disgust of the rest of the squad Paul won another award... The £10 Scratch Card!... Twat!
