Barts 1st XI vs UCL 1st XI

The opening game of the season saw the 1st XI travel to Thames Ditton to face UCL 1s – a team that put over 20 goals against us over two games last season. However, with two new recruits, Tom Bennet and Tom Samuel bolstering the midfield, we were expecting a much closer affair this time around. Coach Martin gave the team a comprehensive pre-match team talk, and briefly mentioned what we should work on during the game.

The game did not start as one would have hoped. Within the opening minutes of the game Barts conceded which brought back memories of last year’s ordeal. However, Barts responded well and grew into the game, Samuel received the ball and drifted to the left hand side of the D and delivered a well struck reverse stick towards Manville to guide the ball past the keeper, 1-1. Barts then continued to press well, turning over the ball high up the field, a quick piece of link-up play between Soper & Pattinson put Sheikh through on goal…Coach was not impressed. UCL scored again from a short corner routine but once again Barts kept pressing well. Samuel found himself one-on-one with the keeper late into the second half but lost his composure and reversed it straight into the keeper, 5 mins later he had another opportunity but the ball ended up over the fence, over the 40ft trees, and eventually returned with snow on it. Half-time: UCL 2-1 Barts. The second half started strong with opportunities falling to both teams with Keeper Coleman making numerous saves to keep us in the game. Mid way through the second half Manville gets fouled and begins mouthing off to the umpires, even after being awarded the foul he continues to mouth off and throws his toys out of the pram – Luckily, Samuel used this “distraction” to take the free hit and drive into the right hand side of the D and deliver a low powerful shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Barts conceded for a third time after everyone decided that they had fouled the opposition too many times and instead of looking at the ball were pleading with the umpire to award a short corner against them – the umpire played advantage, 3-2.

Barts continued to apply pressure and were close to an equaliser on multiple occasions, Travers looked through on goal after beating the keeper but somehow the goalie managed to claw back the ball with a flailing stick. With 30 seconds to go Samuel plays an aerial into the D, Sheikh with a wonderful touch lifts the ball over the oncoming keeper whilst thinking to himself “if this goes in I want a blowjob from every member of the team” it ricocheted of the cross bar and out of play…Jim was disappointed.

Final Score: UCL 3 – 2 Barts MOM: Chris Manville DOD: Chris Manville (didn’t bring a shirt to the game)

#1stXI #BUCs #MatchReport