The main objective of the pre-match talk was to emphasise to the team that after three splendid wins against less gifted teams, the Barbarians had learned during the previous match that to win against stronger opposition high standards of passing, movement and making space are essential.
This was the return fixture against Heron Way. The away game had been a close, 0-0 affair, however the Barbarians came away feeling that they had not done themselves justice. Today was the opportunity to put that right, but victory would only come with hard work and the application of key principles.
As usual, the Barbarians’ rock-sold defensive foundation was the platform which enabled those with attacking responsibilities to fulfil them with confidence. Heron Way possess the players to put their opposition under pressure, yet it was perhaps disheartening for them that Jethro Burton and in particular player-of-the-match William Glenn consistently broke them down by timing immaculately their interceptions and laying the ball off to a well-placed midfield colleague.
In midfield, the outstandingly consistent Lily Turner – who is surely the best female player in this division – and captain-fantastic Tom Ambrose time and again orchestrated Barbarian attacks by gaining possession of the ball and playing it simply and effectively. The reward came halfway through the first half when Ben Mackenzie took advantage of this constant supply by breaking through the centre of the Heron Way defence and slotting the ball home for his hugely deserved first goal of the season.
And the Barbarians were not about to rest on their laurels. Dominance continued, with play-anywhere Huw Morgan again making it difficult to know whether he is of more value to the team when performing heroics in goal or when tackling and dribbling with supreme skill in the outfield. A pity therefore that he narrowly missed claiming a goal after an irresistible run through the centre.
In the second half Ben Austin took his place in midfield having not been over-stretched in goal in the first half, and made a very effective contribution with his ceaseless running. Arun Watkins showed how his excellent close-control can be devastating when he extracts the ball from a tight space and feeds it to a team-mate in space.
Barbarians’ dominance was confirmed when Callum Holder received the ball just inside the Heron Way half. Lightning acceleration took him clear of two defenders and left the ball nestling in the back of the net. 2-0 to the Barbarians.
A similar effort came a few minutes later when Callum broke through the right side of the Heron Way defence and tucked the ball into the left hand corner to underline a much-deserved victory over the strongest opposition faced this season, and to claim his fourteenth goal in eight matches this season. Whilst this is a superb record, it is also clearly the product of the marvellous teamwork and ability of the squad as a whole, which remains unbeaten at this half-way point in the season.
Man of the Match: William Glenn
Squad: Tom Ambrose (c), Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins.
Report by Frank Holder
