GNP SPORTS 4-3 BARTESTREE: FULL LIGHTHEARTED REPORT & IMAGES...

Trees Find That Field Events Force Them Off-Track At Warwick University’s Athletics Centre…

GNP Sports 4-3 Bartestree

There were issues surrounding this encounter, I reckon… A rough cup-tie earlier in the season at Bartestree had coughed up a dismissal for GNP’s Charlie Cook and a drawn game, but a win on penalties for the visitors. This match was lively too, also interesting, tense, ill tempered on occasions and in all honesty not well officiated, especially by two of the three black-clad controllers. I would not do their job at all, don’t get me wrong… Two unpleasant playground scraps erupted, yet despite a clear view of both, those two officials cautioned just one player each time. 

A BOW? SURELY A HANDSHAKE WOULD DO?

Tree’s Louis Mann had reacted early on with irritation to a challenge and then retaliated with two hacks at an opponent for which he was booked but as the game wore on, he walked a thin rope, so that his effort and aggression erupted with one very late challenge during the second period, yet amazingly he was merely spoken to by the patient referee like he was receiving solace for misdoings from a priest.

CHARLIE COOK: GOOD SET-PIECES...

Sam Wanless, already cautioned later in the game, was also involved in the tackle which caused the first general scrap to erupt but he too escaped a second yellow card. His protagonist, Tree’s Jon Davies, WAS cautioned in that incident but later managed to escape further punishment for a scrape of a boot, albeit possibly without malice, onto GNP replacement Scott Hammond’s back, who was then booked for HIS initial challenge… And yet, the assistant on the dugouts-side of the pitch had attracted the referee’s attention twice, first to admonish the chaps who sat in the dugouts or stood in the white rectangle for minor offences and then to make a ‘spectator’ move a few yards away from the GNP dugout. It was all rather bizarre.

GNP STATICS...

Oh, there was a football match too… And the balance of the game altered from a GNP lead to a Tree lead, back to parity, then to another Tree lead, once again back to equality and finally it rose to the crescendo of a GNP victory. And there were three successful penalties scored, plus two firm headers, one smart swept-in strike and a circus goal netted by a swooping chest. Yes, it all happened at Warwick Uni’s athletics track. And I spent much of the afternoon in the company of ‘The Messiah’, Ex-Coventry United striker Brian ‘he’s a very naughty boy’ Ndlovu… What could be better? As the old proverb goes, ‘the sun shines on the righteous…’ Thus Brian watched in glaring sunshine and I was left cold in the shade. Odd that…

DID I DETECT A WELSH VOICE?
OMG, SOMEONE'S STOLEN HIS SHOPPING...

Leigh Phillips began the game in a whirl for Sports, making a fine interception and taking off like runner number two in a sprint relay team but in possession of the ball, not a baton. He used the left touchline like a lane and delivered a smart centre which Tom Rawlings swept first time and low into the Bartestree net as he ran onto the ball, 12 yards out. 

1-0...

ASSIST BY PHILLIPS...

GOAL BY RAWLINGS...

Mann was soon punished for his indiscretion and a shot by Austin Thomas flew straight to home goalie Paul Lawrence, before a fine Phillips pass was chased by the speedy, 400 metre-built home striker Nathan Stoute, who is not actually stout at all and he fed the ball inside for the supporting Scott Lindley but the defensive midfielder’s shot at goal arced off target like a discus had slipped from the side of his throwing hand. When Wanless was tackled superbly by the long grass and Thomas benefited, Lindley took the tall Tree forward out harshly but received not even a word from the main official. Then Bartestree surprised those with nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon but watch a Midland League Division 3 game, by not shooting from two free-kicks which were placed some 25-27 yards from goal and certainly not from wide positions. Lewis Clarke’s delivery bounced harmlessly past everyone for a goal-kick and Harry Waybourne’s low feed was blocked far too easily by GNP. When a pass was received immediately afterwards by Waybourne, his control was so loose that the ball rolled over the byeline to his dismay on the right flank. 

EXPRESSIONS...

MANN CAN BE UNPOPULAR...

A STOUTE LEAP...

Cook lifted a clipped shot from right to left just past the far upright with Rawlings just unable to reach the flight, yet suddenly the guests regained parity with a good header and a fine assist. Waybourne made ground to the left byeline under pressure but planted a fine centre into the goalmouth and suddenly there was Davies, steaming in like a raging Gordon the steam engine in a Thomas the Tank Engine episode, to head a powerful 3 yarder into the GNP net.

HANDS ON HIPS FOR THE GOALSCORER...

A short period of set-piece experiences starring Cook followed but too many cooks can spoil the broth and that occurred, for despite Charlie’s decent free-kick shot and several accurate corners, the broth of goals wasn’t troubled. First Rawlings’ near post header from Cook’s left-side corner took a deflection as it glanced wide of the far upright, the ensuing flag-kick was missed by gloveman Elliot Watts but Callum Rai nodded his opportunity too high, then a 30 yard curling free-kick by Cook had Watts scrambling as it flew wide of the right post. The next Cook corner from the left saw Rai head the ball back across goal but when Cook fastened on to the resulting clearance, he shoved the ball behind the goal frame. Finally, another right-side flag-kick was headed wastefully past the far stick by Rai. And then the referee awarded the visitors a penalty…

COMPTON ATTEMPTS THE STRADDLE DURING THE HIGH JUMP EVENT ALTHOUGH THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE A LACK OF A BAR...

MANN (9) & COMPTON (8): LOTS OF BACKCHAT...

YET ANOTHER CORNER TO COOK UP...

Waybourne ran towards the right side of the 18 yard box and fell as he was challenged, somewhat innocuously it appeared from the opposite touchline but once a foul had been deemed the correct decision, the official realised that it had taken place inside the penalty-area. Mann took the resulting penalty but he was fortunate to be able to add to his season’s total, for the shot seemed to squeeze through Lawrence on its way into the net.

SHOCK: 1-2...

"GODS, I NEARLY HAD THAT SAVED..."

MANN THE SCORER...

Waybourne was then brilliantly released at inside-right but shot from around 16 yards which Lawrence smothered but maybe the forward will rue the fact that he could have advanced further before shooting. And then, finally, a right side set-piece by Cook brought a reward for his team which proved that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again…

"WHAT IS THAT REF'S PROBLEM?"
"NO IDEA, MATE..."

"STOP THAT BLOKE: HE'S NICKED MY GROCERY..."

The first two deliveries by the ex-Coventry United forward were cleared back to old Charlie, whose third, splendidly flighted cross was not headed by Manjinder Dhaliwal but he pitched forward as the ball dropped to knee height and like a buzzard thrusting forth to take prey, he connected with the ball via his chest, whilst his arms flailed backwards like wings. A thing of beauty, if you appreciate the unusual, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder… 

2-2 NOW...

DHALIWAL: "AT LEAST I FOUND THE TARGET WITH MY CHEST, CALLUM..."

The interval arrived, as did Brian The Messiah, the players recuperated inside the changing rooms and as we two chatted, we had no idea that the old proverb, ‘calm comes before a storm’ would act out during the second period. Still, during the 15 minutes of tea drinking and cake guzzling by the players, Brian and I awaited them, for their absence was making the heart grow fonder for more action and for me at least, hope sprang eternal… 

"IF YOU GET UP LOUIS, I PROMISE I WON'T SEND YOU OFF LATER..."

"FAIR ENOUGH REF..."

AWAITING THE TREES...

NICE JAPANESE DANCING BY THE REFEREE...

One good deed deserves another and so when Wanless, reckless, clattered into guest left-back Jack Shemwell and he was subsequently shown a yellow card, the right-back then went into a lunging challenge with Gordon the Engine, Davies. Wanless took the low road, whilst Davies took the more spectacular high road which caused traffic chaos as Wanless took exception to Gordon the Engine and began shoving at him which started the fracas. Two wrongs don’t make a right… The melee lasted for a number of moments, the officious linesman on the dugout touchline watched, the referee, er, also watched and the players vented their frustrations. I mentioned to Brian the Messiah that maybe Wanless and Davies could see red cards for their instigations but the officials decided that discretion was the better part of valour and remarkably only Davies was punished, with a banana coloured card.

YELLOW CARD FOR WANLESS BUT IS HE REALLY CHECKING THE REFEREE'S SHAVING SKILLS?
DAVIES & COOK RUB KNEES.

REF: "TAKE A CARD & SLIP IT BACK INTO THE PACK.
THEN I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT IS.
OK, IT'S A YELLOW ONE.
IT'S ER, A CAUTION..."

SCRAP...

DAVIES IS YELLOWED...

Ah, yes, the football… Back to that… Phillips drove too high from distance for the hosts, Joss Holford was replaced by Luke Swinnerton for GNP and the guests were awarded a right-side free-kick from a deep position. Clarke’s trajectory took the ball into the penalty-box where Stoute shoved an opponent in the back rather stoutly and the referee awarded a penalty to the Trees. This time Marc Avery took the spot-kick and shot confidently and low into the left side of the net and Sports had it all to do again. 

2-3...

PENALTY BY...

...AVERY...

Scott Hammond replaced Stoute, a Cook free-kick was headed goalwards this time by Rai but it was a looping effort and caught easily by Watts. Then after Waybourne had been replaced by Nick Weaver for the Trees, the hosts won a penalty themselves. Hammond was being encouraged by Brian the Messiah to shoot as he dallied inside the penalty-area but instead and eventually, he laid a pass left for Cook to strike, which he did. His rising shot flew well off target but he was also caught by the flailing boot of Tree’s Callum Omelasz, Cook screamed like a top chef realising that his Quinoa Pilaf with Curried Sweet Potato Mash wasn’t quite sweet enough and after the writhing forward was ‘seen to’, Phillips strode forward to strike a low penalty past Watts and into the net via the base of the left upright. The ‘keeper must have been thinking, “Goalkeeping, it’s a dog’s life…” as he retrieved the ball…

COOK IS FELLED...

BACK TO PARITY...

PHILLIPS THE SCORER...

HE PLAYED WELL TOO...

Cook was soon replaced by Ben Cranage and for the visitors, the hurt Jack Shemwell was replaced by another Shemwell, Ryan, but Bartestree then saw a dangerous centre cleared by GNP. Soon Mann, not heeding the look before you leap proverb, leapt into a tackle on Cranage which did not look very lawful. However the by now sheepish looking official decided to spare the rod and spoil the child, by just having a word with Mann, who dropped into a more creative role after that and kept clear of any possible conflicts. He is a good player, can score goals and has aggression; all good assets.

SHAM: "THIS REALLY ISN'T A WORLD CUP FINAL, GUYS. SORT IT OUT PLEASE..."

MANN: "I WENT FOR THE BALL REF, HONESTLY..."

Stewart New replaced Thomas who had been given scant service throughout the match thus far and then Lindley first got away with what looked like a bad challenge and then single handedly prevented the visitors from taking a late lead. The ball had broken for New on half-way and his pass sent Ryan Shemwell chasing at inside-left but with Lawrence beginning to advance and just as the Treeman was about to shoot, Lindley slid in with a wonderful game saving tackle and the hosts survived. A stitch in time certainly does save nine… But had the guests done enough to earn a point? Ah, maybe it is wise not to count your chickens before they hatch…

LINDLEY HAS MISSED THE TARGET...

Hammond for GNP and Avery for Bartestree, with a free-kick, both shot to the respective ‘keepers, Clarke made two fine blocks in succession from Hammond, who really had added some guile and penetration for the hosts, Lindley shot way off target and then saw another wild effort take a slight but so crucial deflection for a right-wing corner, for this flag-kick would bring about the game’s winning goal.

Clarke took it on the right and his delivery was met at the near post by Rawlings’ powerful header which flew past Watts and bulged the netting. Every cloud has a silver lining and for GNP, that proved right on the day. Winning isn’t everything, it is said but who cares a shit about losing or drawing?

4-3: RAWLINGS AGAIN...

Easy come, easy go could be attributed to Bartestree’s ascendancy periods in the game and it only remained for Shane Price to be cautioned for a late challenge, Wanless to shoot a 30 yard free-kick way off target and for a second, if smaller scrap to emerge, after Hammond slid in on Gordon the Engine but as Davies attempted to avoid the slithering Hammond, in a unique example of one good deed deserving another, a stray Davies boot caught the GNP man’s back. Hammond remonstrated with the referee, Davies looked more like the smiling James the Red Engine in response and so the referee cautioned old scar-back Hammond instead… But the referee really ought to have realised that you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear… Better safe than sorry though, ref, eh?

THE WIND BLOWS & THE LINO HOLDS HIS HAIR DOWN...

GUESS WHO? DAVIES & COMPTON...

NEALE (11) BECALMS FOLKS...

MORE MOANS...

"HE TROD ON ME REF..."

Lindley’s endeavour, though not his shooting, skipper Matty Compton’s all round effort, always there when the physical stuff began, Rawlings’ finishing and Cook’s set-pieces were surely positives for the hosts but Phillips was quick, possessed fine anticipation, struck the ball so cleanly and had all the pace necessary to worry opponents. He was so good on the day. Hammond looked sharp too in his cameo role and Wanless gave nothing but his all…

HUGS AT THE END...

Avery led his team strongly, built like a World War 2 brick pill-box on the Essex coast, Waybourne showed glimpses of form, number 8 Davies, like GNP’s number 8 Compton played similarly too. Mann was effective but did well to last the 90 minutes, in truth and then there was Alex Neale… He was the playmaker for the Trees and possessed passing ability, strength on the ball and a penchant for challenges. A shame he was on the losing team…

COOK SHAKES A HAND...

GNP RELIEF...

GNP? There’s no place like home I guess, for home is where the heart is and certainly everything comes to he who waits… It did for Sports.

Me? Took my leave of Brian the Messiah and went home to watch Messi and the heroic Busquets in Barca shirts…

It’s what I do…

TEAMS:

GNP SPORTS:

PAUL LAWRENCE, SAM WANLESS, LEIGH PHILLIPS, JOSS HOLFORD, CALLUM RAI, MANJINDER DHALIWAL, SCOTT LINDLEY, MATTY COMPTON (CAPT), NATHAN STOUTE, TOM RAWLINGS, CHARLIE COOK.

SUBS:

MANRAJ KHANGURA, LUKE SWINNERTON, SCOTT HAMMOND, BEN CRANAGE.

BARTESTREE:

ELLIOT WATTS, LEWIS CLARKE, JACK SHEMWELL, SHANE PRICE, MARC AVERY (CAPT), CALLUM OMELASZ, HARRY WAYBOURNE, JON DAVIES, LOUIS MANN, AUSTIN THOMAS, ALEX NEALE.

SUBS:

NICK WEAVER, RYAN SHEMWELL, STEWART NEW, AARON SMITH.