Morecambe 5 FCBFCSA 2

Saturday August 11 2007, 12pm Kick Off

It seemed a good idea at the time, as part of the Morecambe weekender, a nice game in the sunshine against league newboys, our friends from the north. Barnet brought a strong squad to the seaside for the first supporters fixture of the season.

By train, coach, and in various carloads the boys made their way to Morecambe. There was a cracking atmosphere as the supporters' team manager John Hunt toured the local watering holes, greeting his players as he went by. One by one they were peeling off, moving back to their hotels for an early night, 'honest gaffer ....'.

However, the first worry was in the critical goalkeeping position. Mitchell, the team's fifth choice custodian, was suffering from a mystery illness early on Friday evening. With Kirby, Robertson, Barney, Chillingworth, and Goldman all unavailable, foul play was suspected, akin to Banks in Mexico in 1970. Mitchell, has vowed never to eat another of Morecambe's famous shrimps.

Gerry Currell the FCBFCSA captain put in a resolute performance at the back. Once again he put in a resolute display to save his team, when they were struggling. His vocal harmonies, saved the day as his duo struggled to master , Yesterday, in the Bradford. It was at this point , today turned into tommorrow. Match Day.

There followed a bit of team bonding in the Kings, as the team took to the stage for the national anthem .... well one of Queen's songs, and a bit of Amarillo.

At 8:30am Minton sat down to breakfast, and professional that he was would only opt for the poached eggs. At 9am the first text came. Clarky, and Tone the Bone would have to withdraw, as they had had a restless evening. 9:30am Ben Kentish was forced to withdraw failing a late fitness test. 10am Keiron Parker withdrew, suffering from the Christie Chunders. However, Clarky and Tone came through and said they would play.

The next worry was the kit. Buster Robertson's phone was on the blink. At 1130am the kit arrived at Christie Park, and it was a lovely surprise. The supporters team would be wearing the first teams third kit. This is identical to last years home kit, except for the mortgage express logo. It was the actual kit the team wore against Arsenal.

At the ground it transpired that the team would be playing on a decent pitch with dug-outs , and fenced off. The Trimpell sports centre.

Mitchell was not well enough to kick off , so Iain Dalziel the youth team manager valiantly offered to man the sticks. After the camp team photo was taken, the team lined up as follows ;

1 Dalziel

2 Clark

3 Clayton

4 Currell (c)

5 Minton

6 Taylor

7 Doe

8 Richards

9 Ramos

10 Fenton

11 Nally.

Subs

12 O' Sullivan

13  Mitchell

14 ~Rich~

15 Williamson

16 Hunt (unused)

Other than the unused sub, it was a very young Barnet side. Every member of the team was thirty years old or under. Five of the team were products of last seasons youth supporters team.

The team lined up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation.  The defence were looking solid as ever with the three defenders cementing their understanding from the Farnborough tournament. Ramos was a constant menance on the left wing, and Clayton adding a touch of class in an unfamilar right wing back berth. Nally grew in confidence in the middle, and Clarky suffering from wearing borrowed boots, put in some solid tackles in the middle of the park. Chris Richard was our best player , keeping the Bees ticking over.

Pete Williamson came on midway through the first half in centre midfield to give Pat Nally, a rest, and added calm assurance to our play.

However an organised display by Morecambe, the Northern Supporters team champions of 2006-2007 snuffed out most of our chances and left Doe, and Fenton frustrated up front.

By half time the team were three down. This flattered Morecambe who perhaps just edged the first half. Of the three goals we conceded one was pure quality. Two can be put down, to having an unprepared, and inexperienced goalkeeper in our midst.

Rich came on to give Craig a breather, and Pat Nally came back on for Ross Clark who had a gashed shin. Mitchell took over in goal.

The team made inroads into the Morecambe side who were tiring by then. The game was tight , were Barnet were gradually moving into the ascendancy. Clayton came back on for Rich as Barnet moved to a 3 - 4  - 3.

Morecambe were not a dirty side but were quite clinical. Richards was constantly being uppended as he beat player after player. Barnet got a lucky break when the Morecambe captain was adjudged to have handled in the box. Fenton slotted the ball calmly away. A few moments later it was 3-2 when a Morecambe defender beat his own keeper.

Alas there were only five minutes left. At this point the manager sent on David O' Sullivan to scare the opposition defence, and win us the game. This was the ex Salvatorians debut, and in his few touches showed promise. Immediately Morecambe went a further ahead. Right on the whistle Morecambe scored again to make it 5-2.

Sadly, Doe ended the game without having troubled the scorers. The curse of the number 7 shirt perhaps. The supporters' chairman proudly wore Liam Hatch's match shirt.

It was a good opening display against a solid Morecambe side. Morecambe are one of the best teams we played. We look forward to hosting them in the future.