Unbeaten in nine matches since the start of the season, a long trip deep into the Surrey Hills saw the Barbarians attempting to add Cranleigh Casuals to their impressive record.
Right from kick-off it was clear that to impose themselves on Cranleigh the Barbarians would have to bring together all the positive attributes they have displayed this season, for Cranleigh were clearly the strongest opposition faced so far. As a unit Cranleigh were well-organised, and provided a very stern test with their hard-working defence, including a very capable goalkeeper, and more attacking players with no little ability.
Despite the unusual experience of facing a team with such capability Barbarians were not cowed, and fought toe-to-toe to gain possession. Honours were even for the first ten minutes, with play being concentrated in a midfield where new captain Lily Turner, Tom Ambrose and Ben Mackenzie showed their usual energy and ambition. In goal, Jethro Burton was relatively under-occupied.
Whilst there could be no faulting the commitment of the team, it was nonetheless apparent that the recognition that Cranleigh possessed the players to cause damage made the Barbarians a little reluctant to open the game up by playing passes to colleagues in space. There was a tendency to dwell on the ball and this was punished when possession was lost in right midfield. The Cranleigh left-midfielder advanced, and shot from the left edge of the area, beating the unsighted Barbarian keeper.
Heads did not go down, and the Barbarians retained their fighting spirit. Too few chances were created however, with the striker a little isolated by a continued habit of over-playing the ball further back. When shooting opportunities did come, the Cranleigh ‘keeper showed his quality.
After half-time the game opened up a little, with two or three chances being created. Arun Watkins and Ben Austin worked hard to support their team’s ambition whilst William Glenn and Huw Morgan at the back made some timely interceptions when Cranleigh broke through the midfield.
With ten minutes to go the price was paid for earlier failure to create sufficient genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Cranleigh again broke free on their left, and their striker let go a looping shot into the top right-hand corner beyond the reach of the Barbarians’ keeper. 0-2 to Cranleigh and seemingly no way back for the black and whites.
Five minutes from time, Callum Holder took the initiative. Intercepting a Cranleigh move in the centre circle he raced forward, jinking past two or three opponents. Bearing down on the ‘keeper, he struck with his left and the spirits of his teammates were lifted as the ball nestled into the left hand corner of the net.
The rally continued as chances came and went, chances which on another day might well have stuck. A minute to go and another break from Holder represented the last chance to salvage a point. He again broke from the half-way line, beating all challenges save that of the outstanding Cranleigh keeper who saved at the striker’s feet. The final whistle followed, signifying the first defeat of the season for the Barbarians.
Man of the Match: Ben Austin
Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Arun Watkins.
Report by Frank Holder
