Barnes will come away from the match ruing missed chances and the opportunity to take a point from early league favourites Old Ruts as they narrowly lost 3-2 to a late goal from the hosts.
A couple of late signings including one on the day meant a much changed lineup as Jacko was left to manage the SSFL side on his own whilst Jack was gallavanting at multiple weddings in one weekend ("oooh wedding friends"). Barnes were happy to give Andy Thomas a start on his return to the club after a 2 year hiatus to focus on winning the Henley regatte (which he did in mens 8 btw!), Edson and to Frank Weaver who made his debut.
Despite a few people playing in unfamiliar positions, Barnes started off well against their hosts with a couple of early breaks allowing new striker Alex to find his shooting boots and get a few early sighters in. However Old Ruts had a few early chances of their own and Conal was called into action to react quickly and collect loose balls to rule out any threats. Perhaps then it was an early warning when Jacko needed to slide in and stretch to prevent a shot rolling over the line.
Old Ruts got a foot on the game through their midfield and were able to move the ball around well to test our defence who were working hard to nullify any attacks. After a well won throw-in from such solid defending, a combination of a lazy pass, lacklustre pressing and poor attempt at a tackle to win the ball back allowed 3 Old Ruts midfielders to pass the ball around and play a ball into the box for their striker to pass into the net and take the lead.
Barnes continued on with dogged defending and scrappy midfield play to break up any Old Ruts attacks. Frank on his debut combined well with CT to move the ball around the midfield and find opportunities for fellow wingers Henrique and Tom G to push forward and play balls in for Alex up top. Even wingback Evan was linking up well with CT to charge forward up the flank and play balls in.
And it was this determination that got Barnes the equaliser. Attacking the Old Ruts long ball, Captain Mo intercepted a long through ball and playing Tom Langley in on the wing who with one superb (slighty over hit) pass switched play to the opposite wing. Henrique carried it to the touchline and then played it back to oncoming wingback Evan who running away from the opposition goal was able to switch play back to Tom on the opposite wing again who with remarkable composure on his first touch slotted the ball home neatly under the Old Ruts goalkeeper. The sides went in 1-1 at half time.
The second half started similarly to the first with Old Ruts creating some early chances and again, it was strong defending from the likes of Paul with a last minute slide challenge and quick goalkeeping reflexes from Conal to keep the oppositon out.
Barnes conceded their second from another set play and admittedly it was an awkard bounce that fell fortuitously to the striker and sold the defenders but it was still back to the drawing board again as the Stormers fought on to seek another equaliser.
Barnes were quick out of the blocks and despite some desperate attacks, assured defending from Mo allowed Barnes to win the ball back and play out from the back with substitute wingback Paul showing what he could do with the ball at his feet too as he drove up the wing playing in Alex who set Frank up for what ended up as a shot wide of the mark.
It was this sort of attack that got Barnes in their flow, and from an Evan throw-in at LB, it was another Tom Langley long ball up to striker Alex that got us underway. Alex's first shot was parried away by the keeper but it trickled out to Tom Grant who did well to loft it over the retreating Old Ruts defenders and aim at the far corner where Alex dived at it thinking he'd headed home only to have a goalkeepers trailing hand get enough to keep it out. As both Alex and the goalie fell to the floor, it was Alex who reacted quickest to reach out a long leg and poke the ball over the line for Barnes' second of the game. 2-2.
Old Ruts had their chances and there were a few nervy moments for Barnes. Jacko was strong at the back clearning crosses and winning last minute slide challenges to keep the opposition at bay whilst behind him, centre back partner Mo cleared up after Jacko and when the oppo did beat the defence, Conal was busy pulling off world class one hand saves as he emulated prime Raya.
Tthe game looked to be heading for a draw given the stalwart defending of Barnes' back line and the dogged work in the midfield to keep Old Ruts out. However this hard work caught up with Barnes and as they looked to tire, it was an unchallenged midfield pass to the oppostion striker and with options both left and right, 3 on 1 advantage, Old Ruts tried something different with a shot from range, this time catching Conal out. With 10 minutes left Barnes kept pressing but were unable to find an elusive final eualise, the game ended as 3-2 to Old Ruts.
Squad: Conal B, Andy T, Mo S, Tom J, Evan W-G, Tom G, Tom L, Frank W, CT, Henrique L M, Alex A, Paul B, Edson B.
Manager: Jacko
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