Match report November 19 2011

A tense 3-2 win for the 1st XI lifted us into the top third of an incredibly tight division, and for the second week running the 2nd XI squandered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3. The Ladies went down 0-2 in a gritty performance against league leaders Surbiton, while the 3rd XI lost 2-4 at Goan. The Barnstormers recorded their third win on the trot with a 4-2 defeat of HAC

Barnes 2-3 1st XI
Bad time keeping, a regular occurrence, and a sloppy warm up overshadowed the welcome return of Cookiey and Pouls as well as the appearance of Goalster who gives us all an air of invincibility. We paid the price as our sluggish start enabled Barnes to dominate and score in the first 10 minutes from a well worked short corner.

Slowly we worked our way back into the game with CV unlucky to see his shot come back off the post before Jimmy B was on hand to tap home from our first corner. 5 minutes later we were 2 -1 up with Knappy picking up a through ball from Hunts and popping the ball home at the second attempt. We could have added a third before the break but as it was, in this crunch game, a lead at half time was perhaps slightly more than we deserved.

The first goal of the second half was always going to be key and following a period of good pressure it was us who scored, Gavin notching his first of the season finishing wonderfully following a slick move from the back and a rapid interchange of passes. But for a remarkable save by the Barnes keeper and the ball just landing on top of the goal from an outrageous piece of skill from Jonny shortly afterwards, the game would have been killed off midway through the second half but as it was, Barnes had a sniff. However when called on to do so, Goalster was in command and Ports was outstanding at left back and the home side were kept at bay.

The wrong options on a couple of breaks saw us waste 2 very good clear cut chances but as it was, the final whistle went as Barnes won a short corner with the last hit of the game seeing the scoreline end up 3-2 to us.

A huge victory at the beginning of the four-game run that could decide our season.
Rex Harrison

2nd XI 3-3 Wanderers
Cliche time but this was really a game of two halves. After a mix-up at the back early on which allowed Wanderers to take the lead, we hit back within a minute and then made the most of the space created as our visitors pushed forward. With a 3-1 lead at the break, we seemed on course but whatever was said at half-time didn't work. We started to get stretched and Wanderers dominated. With 15 minutes left it was 3-3 and hard to see how we would hold on, but we did, with desperate defending and a late short-corner strike that was ruled out for being too high.

Ladies XI 0-2 Surbiton
A grim top v bottom battle ended with us losing but nobody could fault the ladies for the effort they put in, Tux at the back supreme until cramp ended her day. However, we squandered possession numerous times but could have cancelled out an early Surbiton goal with our one real chance of the second half late on. As it was, Surbiton added a scrappy but deserved second with the last hit of the game.

Goan 4-2 3rd XI
It was a shame to lose 4-2 to a fairly slow Goan side with only the big hit in their attacking arsenal. We should take credit for showing some promise through out the game - great runs and energy (as always) from Dom down the right wing. A nice finish for the second goal from Bruce. Some great heriocs between the posts from Nige and strong defensive tackles from Mr Crumby all helping to keep the score line respectable.

Barnstormers 4-2 HAC