05/11/2011 - Report by Steve Hill
Report: Barcode Ath 3 FC Village 4
An enthralling game down at Ness Park saw the Village comeback from 1-3 down to snatch a dramatic late winner for a vital win. With several players missing through injury, suspension and unavailability the team lineup saw a number of enforced changes. Booey returned to centre midfield as both Dava and Iain were out to partner Adam and Carl replaced Peter I in the centre of defence. Up front there was a new look as Jim Bob partnered Maggot for their first starts of the season as for precaution measures only Matty joined the recalled Neish on the bench alongside John and Beren.
Playing up the slight slope, the Village kicked off and nearly opened the scoring in the very first minute when a neat move down the left involving Josh, Maggot and Jim Bob ended with the latter setting up Adam just outside the box whose goal bound effort was well saved by the home keeper. Minutes later the Village got a free kick on the edge of the area and Adam saw his shot skim the far post as the side dominated the early stages and they were rewarded with the opening goal. Another neat passing move ended with Josh playing in Jim Bob and he raced away to coolly slot home his first goal of the season. Instead of pressing home their advantage the Village saw the home side gradually come in to the game as they played to their advantages and midway through the half things changed round completely. Barcode had already created a couple of openings and then they equalised as their forward held off the challenge of the Village defence to lob home and a few minutes later they had turned things right around. Some neat play in the midfield wasn’t picked up by the Village players and a Barcode player fired home from just outside the box for 2-1. Both sides had half chances before the break the best from the Village being a great turn and first time effort from Maggot that the Barcode keeper did well to save but there were no more goals as the home team led by that single goal at the interval.
The second half kicked off and it was a disaster for the Village as the ball came back to Leigh and his cross field pass was intercepted by a Barcode forward who fired home to extend their lead and make it 3-1. The Village knew they were really up against it now but they kept at it and slowly but surely took control of the game once more. They were using both wings to great effect and forcing several corners and finally reduced the arrears with a great goal as MOM Jim Bob weaved his way down the right and crossed for Josh to head for 2-3 and what was the club’s 500th competitive goal. Now they were in with a chance and Neish replaced Maggot as the side went all out for that equaliser and it was Neish who nearly got it but his drive went just over the bar. Then Jim Bob got the ball just outside the area, beat a couple of players and fired in a shot which looked like it was going just wide until Neish popped up at the far post to head home for 3-3. They had done it and they now replaced Peter with John to give them some fresh legs down the right but soon after had to take off Jim Bob as he was injured when he was brought down inside the area and that looked a stonewall penalty but the ref gave a throw in after the ball was cleared away. With Matty on, the Village now pushed for the winner and from one of the many corners they got the ball reached Booey at the far post where he bundled it in much to the delight of the team. Suddenly Barcode were now in danger of losing a game that for much of the time they thought they were going to win and they pushed their big centre half up top and started to bombard the Village goal. They hit the post and saw Booey slice past his own post but the Village defence held firm and they managed to see out the long last five minutes to record a hard earned and much needed win.
Team Line-up: Hill: Vaughan(Wellman), Coulls(C), Stewart, Houghton; Phillips, Easterbrook, Coulls(A), Dunroe: Thomas(J)(Smith), Eaton(Neish)
Subs not used:- Moylan
More photos from this game click here
