Report

Barley finished their 2011/2012 campaign with a testimonial celebrating 10years of everthing Barley Mow Wanderers, past, present and future. The venue for this special fixture was The Molineux in Wolverhampton that saw the Billy Wright Stand littered with family and friends supporting the players on show. The sides competing in this celebratory game was a Barley Mow 02/08 side (home) vs a Barley Mow 08/12 side (away). All the Barley big hitters where on show this evening with key battles all over the pitch. Can Barley's all time leading scorer Richie Porter add to his already impressive goal scoring tally? Could his brother, Shaun Porter, partnered by Michael Cornaby shackle the powerhouse centre forward, Carl Yorke? Afternoon star men John O'Keeffe and Matt Cahalane go head to head in the middle of the park, who would come out on top?Can the rough and tumble of Liam Sewell over come the culture of Mike McFarlane? And which set of goalkeepers would come out on top, Ollie Monk and Lee Clark, or Andrew Bishop and Stuart Cornaby? With the team talks done, the photo's taken and all formalities underlined, the match kicked off with all players itching to get their first touch on the ball to settle any lingering nerves. Both sides started brightly, Richie Porter smashed a fierce effort from 18yards out which saw Ollie Monk spring into life and at the other end, long range efforts from Donny Shinn and Mike McFarlane where comfortably saved by Andrew Bishop. The opening goal came 17minutes into the match. A right wing home side corner was swung in by Mark Hill. Shaun Porter out jumped his marker in the middle of the away sides penalty area and powered a header into the top right hand corner. Seconds later, the home side should have been 2 up. Darren Wollaston claimed a lose ball and played through the on rushing Richie Porter who carried the ball into the area but, under pressure from the out stretched Lee Clark, he pulled his effort wide. After a shaky 5minutes, the away side gathered momentum going into the brake. Donny Shinn made a mazy run from the half way line taking on a number of home side defenders. He approached the penalty area and was about to pull the trigger before Michael Cornaby made a crucial tackle to win possession back for his side. But despite having the 'lions share' of possession, the away side could not find a way through. The first half finished 1-0 to the Barley Mow 02/08 side. The second half began with the away side looking for the equaliser. Ollie Monk added pace up front which added a new dimension to their attack, but despite forcing endless corners and crosses, Andrew Bishop was in fine form, collecting everything. At the other end a quick brake away saw Lee Clark pull off the save of the night, palming a Richie Porter effort over the bar from point blank range. As time ticked on, the away side pushed a found the goal they had deserved. Nick O'Brien carried the ball out from his own half and played an inch perfect pass to James Malpass inside the penalty area. A neat turn and cool side footed finish brought the scores level. However the home side instantly hit back. Possession was wasted by the away side up front and the home side broke with pace. A long ball forwards caught the away sides back four out and Matt Cahalane popped up with a glancing header that had a massive hint of offside about it!!!! With minutes remaining a right wing  free kick, taken by Mike McFarlane saw John O'Keeffe dummy to Steve Brookes. He took a touch and fired a shot at goal but out of nowhere, Michael Cornaby threw his body at the ball to block the shot. A good game then finished nastily as a mass brawl broke out following a reaction to a tackle which brought the game to an end early. We all have our opinions on it, but with friends and family in the stadium, and what should be friends on the pitch, could it have been avoided? An entertaining match finished 2-1 to the Barley Mow 02/08 side. The away side had all the possession and played the better football but could not find a cutting edge up front. They could also feel aggrieved with the second goal that looked a bus length off side. The home side had the better of the chances and had the very impressive Andrew Bishop to thank for such an assured display between the sticks.