Old Elizabethans Five a Side Tournament 2007
Old Elizabethans Memorial Sports Ground
Mays Lane, Barnet
Sunday 19th August 1pm

John Hunt writes

I am proud of my boys, who flourished under the leadership of Ollie Minton, and at times Simon Sav Alavi and Robin Goldman. Pete Williamson, David Kirby, and Ken Mustapha really dug us out of a hole agreeing to play way beyond the 11th hour. Matt Dodimead was one of the stars of the show coming out of retirement. I even made a cameo in one of the matches. I think the scores were something like this

1) Barnet 0 The Alexandra 1

In this 10 minute per match tournament, Robin Goldman played his first full match for Barnet. Barnet were unlucky to lose this evenly contested game to a penalty, when Matt Dodimead encroached into his own area. The Alexandra's winner was scored by Kieron Gallagher, formerly on the books of Barnet FC as a professional , i am led to believe.

Barnet lined up, Kirby, Goldman, Minton (c), Sav Alavi , Dodimead

There were no subs.

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2) Barnet 2 Red Lion 1

Barnet went behind early on to a peach of a shot that David Kirby, almost managed to keep out. Matt Dodimead levelled, and Sav Alavi scored the winner. Sav Alavi missed a late penalty, that had been harshly awarded against the Red Lion when one of their players slipped in the box.

Answering an sos from his friend Sav(iour) Alavi, Ken Mustapha made his debut for Barnet, and added to the list of quality centre backs the supporters team are able to call upon. A class act.

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3) Barnet 2 Roving Reporters 0

Pete Williamson came on during this game for Matt Dodimead, and added class and experience to the side. Freed from the shackles of defence, this was a starring performance by Oliver Minton, who relished the responsibility of captaincy weighing in with two goals from midfield.

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4) Barnet 1 Old Stationers 1

A keenly contested match against a team wearing traditional and somewhat unique, yellow and blue halves. Sav Alavi put the Bees one up late on. However after making some fine saves to deny his Old Elizabethan teammate during the game, Steve Betts beat David Kirby late on. Steve Betts, signed for FCBFCSA after this game, and is set to feature against Brentford next week, adding to our options up front. 

5) Barnet 0 Black Lion 0

This was Barnet's worst performance struggling against a team who had the edge of us in terms of age and physical prowess. While we created many chances we just couldn't find the back of the net.

6) Barnet 2 Pinnacle Coaches 0

A fun game, with sporting opposition. Barnet took a two goal lead , before bringing on Goldman, and Hunt to give the others a breather. Dodimead sat out this game.

7) Finchley B 1 Barnet 1

Barnet were unlucky not to win this game. Barnet's first goal was a fine effort from Pete Williamson. Finchley's equalisers was most comical. David Kirby called for a passback from Ken Mustapha. He then realised he couldn't pick it up. He was content to let it run off for a corner. Embarassingly it went straight into the goal.

QF Finchley A 3 Barnet 0

A few burgers put paid to Barnet's progress in this competition. Seriously, Finchley A were more clinical than any of the other teams we had faced. Matt Dodimead was unable to play in this match suffering from blisters.

Thanks to David and Old Elizabethans for inviting us , and organising the tournament. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A few of the other sides were moaning about the organisation, but these were merely teething problems. I hope we can made it an annual event, and perhaps hold one of our own one day. Thanks to Buster for coming up trumps with the kit as usual. Thanks to Janet for providing much needed support, and to my mum who is washing the kit as i speak. Stars the lot of you.

P3, W3, L2, D2

I would say Barnet's star player today was Simon Sav Alavi who covered every blade of grass and weighed in with some crucial goals. He must have hit the woodwork four times.

The tournament was eventually won by New Southgate.