Pegasus 0 - 6 Barlow Lyde & Gilbert
Dion (2), Greeny, Hooksie, Robbie Chapman, Richard Craig
Christmas well and truly arrived early for Barlows at the Beckham Academy last night, with a 6-0 drubbing and excellent performance all round, playing Pegasus off the park. Barlows wore their festive red kit for the occasion looking like 11 Santa's running round the pitch. Unfortunately the proposal for tinsel sock ties was deemed a little excessive.
Both teams started the game well with some good chances at either end, but the new look Barlows centre back pairing of Felix and Robbie O stood firm and Pete making a solid debut between the sticks kept the Pegasus strikers at bay. However, as the game wore on Barlows started to control the game, with the impressive pairing of Richard Craig and Robbie Chapman dictating the play in central midfield, whilst also getting forward well to support the strikers.
Barlows started carving out some excellent chances with only the finish eluding them. Though after 15 minutes a through ball to Greeny saw him round the keeper and put the ball in the net to take the lead. Soon after Pegasus almost equalised at the other end but Barlows then punished the opposition on the break with an excellent finish high into the net by Dion, on his comeback from a career threatening injury. 2-0 and it was all Barlows. Pegasus' frustration was beginning to show with their midfielder reacting badly to a strong tackle by Robbie O, which saw both players go into the book.
Another couple of strong challenges saw the game turn a bit scrappy which culminated with an off the ball incident involving a Pegasus defender on Piers at a corner. Despite the protests of Barlows and in particular Dion, the referee had not seen the incident and took no action, however, the same Pegasus defender got his comeuppance minutes later when he viciously hacked down Richard Craig who had made a fine run into the area with only the keeper to beat. Hooksie made no mistake with the penalty to make it 3-0 as the half time score. The Pegasus defender went into the book for what might have been a red card but was immediately substituted to his disbelief before any more damage could be done.
After some half time mince pies, Barlows picked up where they left off in the second half with Richard Craig starting the move, playing a finely weighted ball over the top of the defence with just enough back spin to keep the ball in play. The ball was cut back across the area by Hooksie which found Richard Craig who had continued his run to place the ball cooly in the net. Next was a contender for Barlow's goal of the season with Dion making it a come back to remember, picking up the ball on the right and lobbing the keeper, Ronaldinho vs. Seaman style, from 30 yards into the top corner of the net!!
5-0 up and Barlows we in cruise control for the rest of the game, with a fine finish for the sixth and final goal of the evening by Robbie Chapman with the ball going into the net off the underside of the cross bar.
The referee blew the final whistle to the relief of Pegasus who had been run ragged for 90 minutes and whose faces looked like they were being forced to chew on brussel sprouts. A fine win for Barlows has pushed them up the table and is the perfect way to end 2008.
Team: Pete; Piers, Felix, Robbie O, Chris Getty (Dom How); Dion, Richard Craig, Robbie Chapman, Jo jo (Hogan); Greeny (James Seale), Hooksie
