FCBFCSA 4 International XI 6

Tora Tora Tora

Barnet Playing Fields Saturday March 29th 2008

English Bees find virtually Norway past Tor Mollatt Eriksen

 

An inspirational performance by Norwegian goalkeeper Tor Mollat, and a failure to convert their chances cost FCBFCSA dearly against an international eleven managed astutely by Barnet Football Club's evergreen Overseas Liason Officer John Jose Village Mourinho Adkins.

Fifteen different nationalities (most of them English !) were on show at Barnet playing fields on Saturday morning, in an exhibition match staged to showcase Barnet's worldwide supporter base.

It was a relief that the match even went ahead, as the teams picked the pitch in the best condition , but even this was covered in puddles, particularly on the edge of one area. If it had been a Sunday league game, or even a professional game - it would never have gone ahead.

The match referee Michael Riddle, never gave a thought to calling the game off and we applaud his refereeing, and the kindness he offered us in waiving his match fee. In the first half he was assisted by Tudor Powell , and Daniel Pennington.

Before the game both sets of sides were photographed by Derek Rochelle, and Village was presented with a signed pennant as a token of appreciation from his foreign legion.

FCBFSA mixed the side up a bit to start with to give youngsters Benjamin Kentish, and Mitchell Snell starting roles, and a rare start for Robin Goldman up front.

The English Bees started the strongest, - partly because they knew each other's names . With a tendancy to hold onto the ball in the boggy middle of the park they got most joy from playing the ball out wide, in the drier areas of the pitch.

As early as the first minute Robin Goldman linked up well with Joel Ramos  on the left wing, but the shot was saved by Tor.

Ben Kentish, playing out of position in right midfield sprayed some lovely passes through to Craig Clayton who was working tirelessly at centre forward.

However veteran Robin Goldman struggled on a heavy pitch that was hard work for his heavy frame. Goldman was lucky not to be booked for a late challenge.

FCBFCSA's best moments came when Joel Ramos, and Craig Clayton were on the ball and it was  Clayton who broke the deadlock with a fine run and finish, chipping the ball over the outrushing Eriksen.

FCBFCSA's defence struggled to cope with the conditions and it was soon 1-1. This was as beautiful goal as the FCBFCSA. Nurat Akwyz from Turkey scored a peach of a goal from 30 yards, that dipped past Mitchell Snell , making his full debut for FCBFCSA.

FCBFCSA continued to carve out the opportunities, but a lack of clinical finishing, and fine positional awareness, and brave keeping kept them at bay. Silvio Gradoni, got the last touch on an effort by  Clayton to make it 2-1 to FCBFCSA, when the crowd were praising Clayton for a fantastic brace. 

FCBFCSA conceded a soft second, when Goldman was dispossessed to make it 2-2. This was the first strike from Darren Romero.

On a different day a first half scoreline of 5-1 would not have flattered FCBFCSA

At half time, the promised substitutions were made. Due to Tony Fenton and Fabio Moruzzi being absent only two changes were made. Keith Doe came on for the exhausted Robin Goldman, and Pete Williamson came on to steady the midfield, allowing Silvio Gradoni to move forward, and Chris Richards to work the right side. Ben Kentish was sacrificed, as the FCBFCSA management felt that Ben was tiring and not able to track back. The wings were where we thought the team would enjoy more joy, so this was essential.

Ben was upset at being substituted, which shows how much he cares about playing the game.

FCBFCSA were also encouraged to be more vocal, as it was like being at the Emirates Stadium how quiet the team were in the first half.

The substitutions seemed to have a postitive effect in galvanising the team, and FCBFCSA enjoyed a fine spell at the start of the second half.

However against the run of play FCBFCSA were soon 2-3 down. This goal came from Lionel Mzivbo from Zimbabwe.

Worse was to follow when goalkeeper Mitchell Snell tangled with the goalnet and pulled his groin. Fortunately,  Robin Goldman was kitted up and ready to come on immediately.

FCBFCSA rallied, and once again talisman Ross Clark - not at his best in the first half -, and Chris Richards were the source of most of our better moments. Silvio Gradoni was battling away in the centre of the park defying his 39 years, against opposition, some of which were young enough to be his sons.

Special praise here goes to supersub Keith Doe, who burst through on a number of occasions, and finished well to equalise at 3-3.

Craig Clayton nicked the ball from Niall Ward at left back, cut inside and almost scored with a fine effort, when a pass to a team-mate would have been a much better option.

At this point Craig pleaded to be taken off. The crowd and management thought that Craig's head had dropped, and his was disinterested. However he was in agony with a pulled calf, and did well to last as long as he did.

At this point Tor Eriksen was replaced by Denis Van Zetten in goal , who came on in a pristine light blue kit. Niall Ward proudly captained the internationals for the remainder of the game.

This was with a full half an hour to go, and it meant a much earlier introduction into the fray for Andy Cozier , wearing a special heated support, to ease a chronic back condition. Andy used his coaching aware to play a simple game, laying the ball off well, and showing the younger members of the team that using the ball is often the best option.

Again FCBFCSA seemed to be in the ascendancy.  Andy Cozier was unlucky when his lofted effort was touched onto the bar and over by the international keeper. The internationals were unlucky when Currell, and Clark contrived to scramble the ball away after a goalkeeping error at the other end.

Soon after this the customary FCBFCSA flashpoint took place. James Taylor shoved an International player in the face, and this is unacceptable behaviour. At the next opportunity James Taylor, a rock at the heart of the FCBFCSA defence was replace.

The intention was to replace him with Tommy Salinger - hardly like for like - but his was dilly dallying around  , prancing about singing the timewarp - and shirtless, so while Salinger sorted himself out, manager John Hunt, came on tracksuited, to avoid the team being down to ten men.

This had an unexpected impact on the game. After neat link up work with Ross Clark, the shaven headed Barnet full back burst through into the box, and was brought down. The referee had no qualms about awarding the penalty, and Clark calmly slotted the ball past the substitute goalkeeper for the worldwide side. 4-3. There was no rebound for Hunt to slot away, to grab the glory, and seeing Salinger was now suitably attired Salinger came on hoping to impress his parents - Barnet councillors who were watching on the touchline.

Pete Williamson slotted in at centre back, but this had a dire effect on the midfield. The balance of the team was destroyed. Very shortly afterwards the score was 4-4 , Darren Romero's second

Then came the most controversial goal of the day, which put the international 4-5 ahead, again courtesy of Senor Romero.Hat-trick. FCBFCSA vehemently disputed the goal claiming the ball was offside. Linesman Tor Eriksen refused to waiver, ruling the effort onside. Afterwards he told http://www.fcbfcsa.co.uk/

"And NO the player that scored the 5th one was not in an offside-position when the ball was passed, but he was when he received the pass, so NO OFFSIDE! ."

As the Barnet players tired , the team became disjointed. Romero's stamina was proving decisive, as he tore FCBFCSA to shreds.

 Tommy Salinger got a touch from the kick off, and i think was distracted by his parent's presence, and was unable to bring his customary magic to proceedings. It was felt better to replace him with the Gaffer for the last five minutes.

Hunt came on up front for one last assault on the international goal, and managed to set both Chris Richards, and Keith Doe through. However their efforts were laboured by the pitch.

Chasing the win, with bodies thrown forward , and 93 minutes on the clock, the win was assured for the internationals. Set loose by Tudor Powell the foreigners got a sixth - that man Romero again his fourth, to add to the woe for FCBFCSA

In summary the English Bees should have made their first half chances count when the elements were in their favour. Man of the Match Tor Eriksen kept them at bay, but more clinical finishing, and knowing when to pass rather than shoot could have resulted in a different result. Ill discipline had an indirect bearing on the result. Crucially, perhaps if the goalkeepers were on opposite sides the result might have been the other way round.

This is not to take anything away from the international side who gelled well, and battled well. They had some fine Sunday league players in their midst, and fought well for each other. Credit to themselves and John Adkins. You would never have known they were a scratch side. A number of their players impressed notably Lionel Mbizvo, Tor Eriksen, Darren Romero, and Romulo Arunda, (a hefty presence at the back). FCBFCSA are trying to persuade Tor to make more frequent visits to London to co-incide with FCBFCSA matches, and are negotiating for the signatures of Mbizvo, and Romero.

The pressure mounts on John Hunt, as the losing streak, goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on............John Adkins is being mooted as a potential future FCBFCSA manager.

Once again thanks to John Adkins for organising the team.

Thanks also to Keith Doe, who stepped into the breach to make the day work,  The supporters association kindly paid for the overseas players tickets, and souvenirs of the day.

Thanks to Tony Kleanthous, and Barnet FC for generously providing the international supporters with free admission into the Durham Suite, and the chairman for buying a round of drinks for all involved.

Once again this proves that Barnet really are London's friendliest club.

Hopefully this can be an annual event. Anyone up for a trip to Sweden to play this next time !

============================================================

Arm Wrestling and Boxing

Sav Alavi v Taylor

On a lighter note, James ' The Power ' Taylor took on Simon ' The Narcissist ' Sav Alavi in a catchweight arm wrestling contest in the changing rooms after the game. Putting a goalkeepers shirt down as the arm wrestling mat, and lay down on their fronts to compete. On course bookmaker Craig 'Cash' Clayton refused to even watch the match, dismissing it as a no contest. James Taylor, asked his opponent whether he was sure he wanted to compete.It was ready.... go. After about a minute huffing and puffing the competitors were deadlocked. It was decided to call the match an honorable draw.

An abject lesson in never underestimating your opponents. Something FCBFCSA failed to do.

We look forward to Sav Alavi's varsity boxing debut next year where FCBFCSA hope to send a group up to support him.

Whats in a nickname ?

Simon ' The Narcissist ' Sav Alavi, on walking into the dressing room's first comment was a serious, if John Ingman meets Richard Emeryesque " Oooh your hair looks nice Ross." Followed, by " When you look as good as me, it doesn't matter what your hair looks like." He wants to fight under the moniker ' Pretty Boy' in tribute to his hero.........Gary Neville - i mean Floyd Mayweather.