Barnes Stormers FC (LUL XI) 0 - 11 Millwall Romans
Being drawn against possibly the strongest side in Division 1 of the London Unity League in Millwall Romans, the Barnes LUL side knew they were in for a difficult afternoon and so it proved to be, getting heavily beaten 11 -0. *
Despite the gulf in quality, Barnes will still be disappointed with the result and certainly played below their level but there were mitigating circumstances. Without some regulars, including captain Joe Young and a recognised goalkeeper, it was a bit of a new look side with some debutants thrown in and Will Liddall valiantly agreeing to put the keeper gloves on.
The backline in front of him, whilst full of experience also had a combined age Jimmy Carter would be proud of and were up against a very pacey Millwall attack. Despite all of this, for the opening 20 minutes, whilst not playing fluently, Barnes matched Millwall fairly well.
Unfortunately, quality and fitness did tell over 90 minutes. Without the pace of Filipe Valente out wide, Mitch P had to feed off scraps up top and the backline struggled against a pacey attack. With this in mind, the decision of player manager Jake Cooper to not bring himself on, when the side were quite clearly crying out for a bit of speed at full back, remains baffling.
When asked about this post match; he responded; “Let's not take the piss here …. Well I think you are, so there we are.”
Barnes stuck together though and although virtually impossible not to drop heads their team spirit and togetherness as a squad was evident. Will Liddall came away as deserved Player of the Match, making several more good saves than goals conceded and also playing very well once relieved in goal by Ash Bertram. Ash gave away and subsequently oversaw a missed penalty from a rather mouthy Millwall player, which was a scrap of consolation.
Barnes will already have filed this defeat away under “whatcha gonna do” like a New Jersey wise guy and judging from the bar tab afterwards, a said few have certainly forgotten about it already. The side will now concentrate on defending the LUL Plate and under the coaching prowess of Jake and South African Mario Kart champion Daniel Bugler, you wouldn’t put a defence of the plate past them.
Perhaps then, the final words should be left to Ash, who was slightly unfairly nominated the Barnes “Dick of the Day” who simply said;
“They were a very good team against a team who played poorly but played as one.
Well done Millwall, we move on to the next game.”
*To protect all those involved from feelings of inadequacy and failure the score has been redacted.
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