SHATTERED

FCBFCSA 0

SHREWSBURY 4

Barnet Playing Fields 1st March 2008

Despite fielding a very strong side, FCBFCSA lost 4-0 to an organised and efficient Shrewsbury side.

This was Barnet's heaviest defeat and the first time they had failed to net. The game was marred by a mass brawl towards the end of the first half when volunteer referee Robin Goldman had his specially adapted glasses smashed accidentally.

It all started when Ollie Minton reacted badly to a bad tackle on him, returning the complement with interest. The Shrewsbury left back raced from that position to centre midfield to get involved. As the punches rained in , Goldman was hit by the head of a Shrewsbury player where the punch had landed. Goldman dealt with the incident in conjunction with linesman Niall Ward, and booked Minton, and sent off the Shrewsbury left back. In the tradition of the league this became a forced substitution.

FCBFCSA players confessed afterwards that in a Sunday league game at least three Bees players should have walked in the incident. Unfortunately while showing good team spirit, this happens all too frequently in supporters games. Players must be more disciplined, and recognise that these games are friendly matches. The games are not affiliated to the the FA, and as such are uninsured.

A priority is to sort out insurance for the team. Tank was doing us a favour stepping into the breach, and by forfeitting the referees fee, contributed £25 towards the cost of the new match ball. He now faces replacing his glasses. A whipround must happen to cover the cost.

Back to the football,

The team didn't cover themselves in any glory on the pitch. Playing with a heavy wind on their side Barnet went 1-0 down early on. Keeper Kirby misreading a shot.

Goal two came from a Shrewsbury player winning the ball at an acute angle and firing home. In the first half Ross Clark came close with a sweetly struck drive from just inside the opposition half. Tony Fenton played some glorious cross field balls striking the ball harder than usual to use the elements to his advantage.

Two nil down at half time, it was time for the introduction of supersub Keith Doe. Sav Alavi was sacrificed as Barnet plumped for a 3 - 5 -2 formation to chase the game.

It didn't work. The Bees were soon 3-0 down. Shrewsbury rounded off the game late on to end convincing winners. Man of the match for Barnet was Ross Clark who showed the most fight and character. He cleared the ball off the line when the game was already lost.

Also showing some positive contributions were FCBFCSA's two youngest starters Clayton, and Ramos.

We will have to play much better to have a chance of doing the double over a stronger West Ham team at Wanstead Flats in a fortnight.