Barnes Stormers FC return to league action this weekend after a couple of weeks with no game as they look forward to hosting ACT Arantes FC in this SSFL League 7 clash.
Last time out, Barnes did not travel well at all, starting the game with just 10 players. "Last time we faced these guys, the day could not have started off any worse. Drop outs and no shows, the bane of any Sunday League manager, really hurt us. I had 10 players ready to lineup at the whistle having delayed the kick off to allow the 10th man an extra 5 minutes to arrive. To make things worse, we went down to 9 men after about 60 minutes as one of our defenders decided he couldn't play on after injuring himself in the first 20 mins," recalled Jackson. "Those negatives aside, the boys that were there found a real sense of team unity and every single player worked for each other for the full 90 minutes - and boy could you see that in the exhausted faces of our lads, ha! But overall we kept them from scoring for a good period of the game, were a really difficult side to break down and it showed from their 2 goals that they managed to just nick from outnumbering us on the break. We even managed to pull a late goal back ourselves as a result of some lovely play - hopefully with 11 men this time round we'll see more of that!".
Barnes will see the return of a few familiar faces this weekend after some extended breaks and welcome back the likes of Johnny and Billy from injury and Hussain from holiday (manager approve, of course). Julius Stuebing returns to the squad after a couple of months MIA and Alex surprised everyone making himself available for consecutive games (maybe the 2 weeks in between helped!).
With both teams having lost the same number of games, (Barnes however have 4 games in hand on Arantes), this match should be a great one for spectators. With 11 v 11, it teases at being a close game going on the previous results between the two clubs (a 1-1 pre-season draw also included).
So if you're free this weekend then come down and support the Stormers (in a covid-safe and responsible way, of course...).
KO 10:30am
Barn Elms Sports Centre
Queen Elizabeth Walk
Barnes
SW13 0DG