Barley Mow Wanderers F.C

Barley Mow Wanderers 3 - 6 Smethwick Heating

Match Report

A late kick-off due to referee Ian Arthurs failing to show up for the match meant neutral spectator Mark Davies officiated to game. Barley showed some early season form when they went behind after just five minutes. A ball played through from the right side of midfield and none of the Barley lads dealt with the danger leaving Smethwick to finish easy with power from 12yards 0-1. The game settled but Barley still struggled to take control of the game, failing to win challenges up-front but also looking vunerable at the back. 22minutes in and Barley got a piece of luck they did'nt deserve, an inswinging corner from Cartwright was headed on the line by the Smethwick defender, the shattered the cross-bar and bounced over the line, 1-1. Barley then turned the tables on 29minutes, Barley held the ball up well after Freeman played the ball forward and Evans made some room for a shot, the ball was curled with little pace but accurate enough to beat the keeper, 2-1. Barley confident that they could take the game to Smethwick now and hopefully take all three points. Credit to Smethwick though as they battled back and re-took the lead scoring twice in quick succession, both goals coming due to mix up's in the back line. Smethwick lead 2-3 at the break. The second half started as the first finished, 4minutes into the restart and a pacey run down the left, left Westbury struggling, Pickett saved initially but could not hold onto the ball leaving a simple tap and a 2-4 scoreline. 72minutes and a cross from the right was un-defended and a the fifth was finished in the same fashion as the first, second and third goals. If that was'nt game over then Smethwick's sixth summed up the afternoon, a spectacular long range effort from the halfway line, left Pickett struggled the get back to his line, a rather embarassing moment. Barley managed to pull one back with three minutes remaining, substitute Hill provided a good through ball for Evans who rounded the keeper and scored his third goal in as many games, but it was merely a consolation. The defeat a huge blow if Barley are to catch Sedgley White Lions at the top of the table.

League Tables.