DBFC 45s 3-1 Barbarians Seniors
Tuesday 6 September at Happy Valley 3, KO 8 p.m
Squad: Newley/ Juggs, Pedro, Steve, Kieran C/ Adam, O’ B, Morse, Nick F/ Hymsey/ Fouad
Initial subs: Ricky, Simon, Wakas.
A welcome return to winning ways for the 45s following a run of losses after the June re-start; and a quick turnaround for a number of the team (well done guys) who played against the pros 3 days before. Too quick for Martin who decided earlier in the day that his aches and pains of 2 weekend games could not take the stress of a 45s league game. At KO we had a squad of 12 so new DB resident Ricky started on the bench and we lined up in a 4-4-1-1 on the small Pitch 3. Not surprisingly the first 20 minutes were fairly chaotic with both sides struggling to find space. Slightly against the run of play, Barbarians scored first – we defended their cross from LW but they picked up the loose ball outside the area and their shot gave Newley no chance. Fouad was starting to get into the game and always had the beating of their back 4 when we could find space behind. On one such run, Fouad went on a run from RW and equalized with a low hard shot from an angle from outside the box – either an excellent finish or the goalkeeper getting his angles wrong, probably both. We recovered our composure after that and got to HT without any problems to see the cavalry of Wakas and Simon kitting up. One of the Barbarians got particularly excited about our proposed use of Wakas, coming from the team who beat us 5-2 a few weeks ago with what appeared to be their 35s team. We made 2 changes at HT, bringing on Ricky and Simon at wide MF for Nick and Adam. In the 2nd half, we had more possession in their half and Newley was rarely called upon. Wakas came on after 15 minutes for Steve and more or less immediately we were awarded a penalty, no VAR or complaints. Fouad stepped up and duly converted low to the Keeper’s left (video clip being sent to Fela). Soon after that we went further ahead as a cross from RW by Fouad was confidently dispatched by the Peng Chau predator Hymsey. Barbarians never really troubled us after that. Hymsey had another chance with a near post header and then raised the level of excitement further with “a difference in views” with the man in the striped shirt. Fast forward to FT and a well deserved win against average opposition
