Grand Final – BUFC D’s vs Kanwal

Barnstoneworth vs Kanwal 10:00AM at Mangrove Mountain

A blustery dusty day up the mountains saw the Barny Army pitched against Kanwal, our nemesis team this year having beaten us twice 2-1 with a lone 2-1 win in reply in our 3 encounters. They also came into the match on the back of a 9-0 thrashing of East Gosford in the minor semi and 6-0 drubbing of Woy Woy in the Final with early goals in both games so a tough skirmish was expected.

Our cunning plan was to keep it tight at the back for the expected initial onslaught, play our passing game, use the width of the pitch and let John and Ed exploit the gaps when they pushed forward. But alas, they started unexpectedly quietly leaving us to dictate play and hit us on the break through their 2 tricky forwards.

With Ed and John being marked tightly and our defense doing the same to their 2 danger men, it was left to our midfield to dictate play, but though we enjoyed plenty of possession we couldn’t seem to find the inspiration or gaps to trouble their keeper too much while they relied on the odd counter attack.

Suddenly from a corner, a poor clearance fell kindly to a Kanwal player lurking on the edge of the box and we were 1-0 down with a fine shot drilled into the corner. However with our new banners fluttering defiantly in the breeze, their lead was short lived with Eddie finally breaking through their defence 2 minutes later with a trademark solo goal coolly slotted past their despairing keeper to make it 1-1.

Chances were few and far between for both teams as the clock ticked away with extra time looking highly likely but with barely 2 minutes remaining the ball was in the back of our net after an innocuous move down our right led to us conceding a sloppy goal. 2-1 Kanwal. A sea of red and white surged forward looking for an equaliser but time was against us.

Full credit to Kanwal who were very sporting throughout the year and worthy winners of a very close Grand Final but as Connor McCloud always said, their can be only be one.

A fine season from the Dashing D’s, uncrowned Minor Premiership winners and Grand Finalists with a great team spirit, attitude to training and some pretty decent football with the whole squad contributing – roll on next year!

Our thanks to all the ladies and kids who braved the return of the dust storm to come and support us so early up the mountains particularly Gordy, Ray, Shaun the Sheep, Nick, Woodsy and next years ultra secret signing, Ian the Afri-Kaka-ner.

Also a special mention to Scott who didn’t get a run in the Finals but for someone who hasn’t played football before, he gave his everything, scored 2 goals (1 disallowed) trained hard and supported us every step of the way.

Lastly a big thanks to everyone who has helped run the team this year, particularly Tracy and Andy, West Ham Mark, Davey Thomas and Dell and Kerry – a great team effort.

See you all at Presentation night in 2 weeks

Over and Out till next year, regards Rob