Watford 2 FCBFCSA 1(Mcleod)

man of the match ; James Taylor

Metropolitan Police Sports Centre

Bushey Hertfordshire ; kick off 10-30am

 

The Barnet supporters team were beaten 2-1 by Watford this morning in another close fought game. It was the first time the two sides had met since the halyceon days of Reginald Hill, and Steve Percy. Hertfordshire pride was at stake, in this local derby. Watford are one of the most established teams in the Internet Football League, celebrating their tenth anniversary. Indeed, many of their players play together in the same Sunday league team. The Watford team is a young one , re-engineered over the last few seasons.

Arriving at the ground, an hour before the kick off Barnet were impressed with the wondeful facilities on offer. So much so, that they couldn't contain their excitement, and actually changed outside, keen to test the pristine surface. This was after a valiant attempt by Ross Clark to unlock the changing rooms, assuming that the code would be nine -  nine - nine !

Watford arrived and changed in the conventional fashion, and the game unusually for a supporters match kicked off on time at 1030am.

Barnet fielded a much changed side from the one that lined up against Rochdale. Fresh from impressing the Real Mallorca coaches on a tour with Old Elizabethans David Kirby, replaced young Mitchell Snell in goal. Incidentially the Real Mallorca U19 coach said he wished he'd spotted Kirby seven years earlier. Such is life. Zak Mcleod came in for his full debut, having made a brief cameo in the previous match. Chris Richards returned in place of Ollie Minton, along with veteran Silvio Gradoni. Youngsters Jake Manzi, and Joel Ramos were also unavailable.

 

FCBFCSA turned down a seven figure sum from the Real Mallorca supporters team for David Kirby. Unfortunately it was in the redundant peseta currency.

Starting with a 5-3-2 formation Barnet quickly reverted to 4-4-2 as follows Kirby, Mcleod, Alavi, Currell (c) , Richards, Clark, Richards, Gradoni Fenton Clayton

Barnet made a good start to the game. Clark came close with a free kick in the early stages, but was miles away with a second shortly after. Watford soon got into their stride playing some lovely passing football, on an immaculate surface.

The match was reffed by a Watford supporter, who lives in Barnet, and he did a grand job. Watford were frustated early on by three dubious offside decisions, two coming from the flag of FCBFCSA
legend Robin Goldman who made a brief cameo early on when Ross - No Boots - Clark was off the field changing his boots. Having started in a pair of size eights, boots loaned by the manager, a pair of size nines loaned by Barnet substitute David - Elastic Bandman - O' Sullivan were a much better fit. Thanks, David it showed great team spirit on your behalf. I know you were disappointed not to play, but we can't all play every week. You are the Jemaine Defoe of the supporter's team (ish).

If you would like to sponsor Ross Clarks boots, contact FCBFCSA at the hotmail address below. Ross wears size nines, and the rest of the team will be eternally grateful. Colour is not a problem for Clarky, who fancies a nice pink pair.

Barnet were caught standing during this short spell, with nobody picking up in the centre. Watford went a goal up. Indeed Watford went on to dominate the first half. James Taylor and Gerry Currell, were cast iron in defence dealing with the Watford onslaught, with David Kirby comfortable between the sticks.

Barnet's midfield were overrun in the first half. This put pressure on the Barnet defence. Uncharacteristically, Currell missed a tackle with quite a late challenge, that looked worse than it was. Likewise Richards became involved in an incident retailiating with a hard challenge on a player who he wrong identified as having fouled a team mate just before. He saw the error of his ways and apologised straight afterwards.

However the team rallied, and fought hard to come in at half time only one goal down. Barnet wasted a number of attacking set pieces late on in the half.

After inspirational words from captain Gerry Currell, and vice captain Ross Clark at half team, the team were confident of gettng back in the team. One of the reasons Barnet struggled in the first half was a lack of someone to stretch the game on the wing, in the absence of Ramos , Barney, Chillingworth, Dodimead, and Manzi. It was decided to switch Richards with Nally, and give Richards a chance to run at players out wide.

Barnet came out firing and had a much better second half. Indeed the team performance second half was one of the best I have witnessed at FCBFCSA. One particular move linking Clark, Nally playing in a slide rule pass, and Fenton was top drawer. In the course of the half Fenton would come close to scoring on four ocassions, agonisingly cutting the ball across the face of the goal, the ball ending just wide.

Capping a fine debut Zak Mcleod, scored Barnet's equaliser with a scorcher from 35 yards. This was a bizarre goal, as first it was given, disallowed, and then finally allowed to stand. The controversy was whether Fenton was offside. He was standing to the side of the goal , with his hands up in the air to indicate he was not active. Although i'd probably be moaning if the boot was on the other foot, i think on reflection it was the right decision.

In addition to this McLeod made some fine tackles, and relentlessly bounded up the right flank.

The goal galvanised Mcleod who moved up from right back, to right wing and on ocassion centre forward. Alavi was also pushing up, as FCBFCSA sensed a rare victory. Watford were certainly on the ropes. This left Taylor and Currell minding the shop admirably at the other end. The Barnet full backs perhaps pushed up a little too much, forcing the centre backs to play it longer than they would have likened to at times.

However Barnet's team play was much better second half. There were some fine moves, as the team tuned itself in to the same wavelength. Barnet were moving better, and showing for each other. This was missing in the first half, where Barnet were even giving the ball away sloppily on their own throw ins.

As the game progressed, Barnet actually grew stronger and stronger. Fenton, four weeks off the ciggies (well done , keep up the good work) was tracking back more than ever. Craig Clayton burst into life with some powerful runs, and came close with a header.

When James Taylor pushed forward, he shows remarkable skill for a big fella with some cavelier wing play, sending in a lovely cross which Richards narrowly failed to convert. Both Gradoni and Nally also had some pot shots whch failed to hit the mark.

David Kirby made his customary genial save late on, but was powerless to stop Watford's winner with Barnet beaten on the left.

Barnet pushed on in search of the second equaliser, and Richards went on a mazy run, and Watford closed the game out well.

These were rare moments of panic for Barnet in a good match, which i feel were dominated by different teams in both halves. Its frustrating as we have put up good showings in all of the games we have played. We need to starting picking up some points however. I am sure the players who don't play Sunday league or university football will benefit from having 90 minutes under their best.

A couple of Watford lads were injured in the game, and we wish them all the best in their road to recovery. The game was played in good spirit, and Watford are a nice bunch who we hope to host later on in the season. However it may be back at the same pitches as FCBFCSA are to make enquiries about moving their home matches to the same location.

Showers that work, dressing rooms that lock and are clean, and even a sauna should that take your fancy, and a bar are on offer at this venue.Add to they are good blokes. No wonder teams are queuing up to play Watford. Maybe next time, Ollie Minton will realise his dream of playing against the Hornets.

Once again thanks to our substitutes who didn't get on. Robin Goldman was understandably disappointed not to get a longer run out. On reflection he confessed that he understood the reason why, and that it is a team game. Players like Robin Goldman, Tom Salinger, and David O' Sullivan are the lifeblood of teams like ours, and although it may not always be appropriate to play you when a game is tight. (David and Tommy, i particularly don't want to risk injury to you in a game played at a fast pace, against fit regular Sunday league players), your time will come, and it would be very sad if you are not able to continue to come along. It is always nice to have some friendly faces along, particularly at away games where the surroundings are not familiar.

Dave Messenger, in the Watford management team commented that " It was a great game, and that Barnet played the game the right way. They were committed but not dirty." He also commented that Barnet's defence were particularly well organised. Certainly, the trio of Kirby, Currell, and Taylor were but we still have some work to do in this area.

Also thanks to Tony Skinner for bringing a car load of supporters with him. Buster for sorting out the kit, and Gerry, Tony, and Silvio for ferrying players along.

I noticed the different groups of players in the team are mixing better to form a cohesive unit, with Fenton and Goldman leading a delegation to the Queens Arms after the game.

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Next up for FCBFCSA is Mansfield at home. This game is to be confirmed as the League Two Fixture has been brought forward to 1pm due to England v Estonia kicking off at 3pm.

Scouts close to the ear of former manager Graham Taylor (he's my mate's next door neighbour), who still has the ear of Steve McClaren have recommended FCBFCSA's central defensive pairing to replace the injured John Terry.

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As an aside, Sav Alavi confessed that although fully focused on the game he was rather excited about the prospect of the Chuckle Brothers being at the Rotherham game. As a seventeen year old Sav patiently queued up to meet Barry and his brother and get their autographs. When asked if it was for his little brother. Sav replied. 'yes sign it to Sav'. To me, to you etcetera etcetera

 

FCBFCSA wish Sav good luck in auditioning for this pantomine. He has pledged that FCBFCSA committments will always come first.

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FCBFCSA captain Gerry Currell was called into action at Underhill on Saturday, in his role as doting uncle filming his niece in her role as mascot. She was quick off the mark in the half time sprint, and a fine Barnet Ladies career beckons in about 12 years time or so. Hope Powell keep your eye on her.

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Having been described in 4-4-2 magazine as the 'self important' Barnet supporters team member who wandered in to the Morecambe home dressing room while Mark Lillis was being interviewed, i was tempted to impose a reporting ban on this match. However i find it theraputic so there you have it. I can understand how managers feel about media misrepresentation as I am not even a real gaffer, and my first appearance in the media was a misquote. Que Sera, Sera. I now have a nice souvenir of our seaside beano, and I got into the Morecambe match for free.

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Best of luck to all the lads returning to University this week, and with various job interviews and new jobs.

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And Watford reported the game as follows ;

WIFC battled to a well earned 2-1 win over a talented Barnet side at Met Police yesterday. Goals from Paul Watt and Richard Murphy were enough to secure the win in a keenly contested game that could have gone either way. WIFC dominated the opening half and opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a neat lob from manager Watt, but despite other scoring chances for Rob Sterry and leading scorer Chris Dundon, WIFC only had the one goal to show for their efforts.

Barnet came back at WIFC in the second half and began to take the initiative. Their equalising goal on 60 minutes was no more than they deserved, if a little controversial as debutant keeper Johnny Mickelburgh was unsighted by a potentially offside striker and conceded a long range drive. The goal given, Barnet upped another gear and could have been in front, but Mickelburgh then pulled off a decent low stop to keep scores level as WIFC toiled and Barnet looked the more likely winners.

A tactical switch by manager Watt saw Joel Moody and Matt Ainsley switch, and WIFC started to get more ball in midfield and start to hurt Barnet on the break as they looked for a winner. The move paid dividends on 77 minutes when Murphy picked up a ball out wide, cut in and evaded a couple of defenders before slotting home. Back in front, WIFC took control and had further chances through Ainsley, Moody and Leigh Harrington while the back four, superbly marshalled by Julian Carrera and Paul Whittenbury, repelled Barnet's efforts.

Will be in touch with dates we can make a return fixture.