Match reporting by Ben Wyver
Following a string of league and cup wins, and no defeat since October, Witan went into today’s game full of confidence. The sky blues had beaten Old Meads 4th and 6th teams in their cup run to the final and were the bookies favourite to complete the triple. John Fisher’s relentless run at the top meant the 3s needed to win in order to keep up the pressure on the league leaders.
A bright sunny day in Barnes provided an excellent setting for the match. Pre-game preparations weren’t dampened by Justice Dapaa turning up just before half time because of ‘long queues in the post office’ and Andy Robinson spent his dressing room time getting in the zone with some light reading. Anyone for book club?
The game kicked off and Witan knew a quick start was needed having endured some sloppy beginnings in recent games. Unfortunately that trend looked set to continue. Was it because Nick didn’t have time to share his pre-game motivational quote? Probably not.
"I really missed the normally extremely motivating pre game quote from Nick, and couldn't get going right away as a result" - Andy Robinson
Witan struggled to get into an early groove. Meads were getting a lot of joy down the right hand side in particular, where the number 5 was proving strong, composed and powerful. A string of early corners that were fired right onto returning keeper Luis meant that Nick had to make a series of strong headers off the line.
The pressure from Meads paid off when Robbo went for his best Mr Shins impression. An attempted pass on the volley ended up turning into a shinned through ball for their menacing striker. The Meads forward raced away down the left, turned inside Danny and fired an excellent finish into the top corner. 1-0 to Meads.
One turned quickly into two when another mistake from Witan proved costly. Ben chested down a quick throw in from Don, turned inside and saw Carl screaming for the ball at right back. Taking instructions from the senior man, Ben attempted a ball across the edge of his own box that was quickly cut out by the Meads midfielder who smashed home. Was it Carl’s fault? Who knows. 2-0 to Meads.
Yellow card drama followed. Fred skipped away from their left back (known affectionately by the Witan players as ‘Grandad’) who cynically pulled him down for a certain yellow card. The ref reached for his pocket, but stopped after Witan took a quick free kick. According to him, he then couldn’t give the yellow as play carried on. Bizarre.
Witan continued to be at sixes and sevens as Meads piled on the pressure. The Chiswick club made it three shortly after. A great turn from the lively striker and a lovely through ball set the lively number 5 on his way. Faced up with Sarly and Baxter, he sat them down with a chop inside, kept his cool, and slid home. 3-0 to Meads.
The half time whistle blew and heads were down. Rumour has it that Robbo said ‘there’s no way we’re getting back into this’ – could Witan mount an unlikely come back?
Some stern words from Nick at half time and the game restarted. A reshuffle saw Ben go to centre back, Tom Tam go into full back, with Jonny and Justice coming into midfield. Immediately Witan were on the front foot. The passing was crisper; the tackles were being won, and second balls being picked up. Theo, Fred and Nick were linking up nicely, with Guy and Justice providing thrust from behind.
A string of corners from Mr Whippy (Guy) saw Witan pile on the pressure. A brilliant leap from Danny, battle hardened by his black eye from the first half, saw his “best ever header” cleared off the line. Shortly after, another excellent corner from Guy was delivered right into Nick who smartly volleyed home. 3-1.
Actual footage of Danny Shins leaping
Witan’s tails were up and Meads were beginning to crack. The pressure continued, with balls being easily swept up by Ben and Danny at the back. A tussle between the Meads striker and Ben saw the Witan skipper pick up a baffling yellow card for holding. The resulting free kick was lobbed into the box with Nick electing to bicycle kick a clearance when a header would have been far easier.
The Witan thrust went on with chances falling thick and fast. Another excellent corner from Guy landed on the head of Jonny who couldn’t quite head it down enough. The Putney man soon made up for it though, with a lovely floated ball into the lively Justice who delivered faster than the Post Office with a stonking header (that might have come off the defender) into the roof of the net. 3-2 and the Witan fans were raucous. They smelt blood. The Meads players began to argue and the cracks got wider.
Witan had to be alert on the counter and were dealing with a tiring Meads side well. Drama followed shortly after when keeper Luis picked up a back pass from right back Carl. The ref didn’t blow for it, and Meads lost their cool. Handbags followed and a stare down from Luis soon sent the rabble of Meads players back to their positions. I wouldn’t want to mess with him.
Another counter attack followed, with Elliot ‘I’ve been going to the gym’ Sarl chasing down the Meads striker. The forward stuck out a stiff arm which sent Sarly flying down the road into Putney. A comical fall, two rolls and a well-earned haddock followed.
Sarly post push
Down the other end Witan were seeking a deserved equaliser. Theo and Fred continued to probe, and Jonny Baxter contrived to drill the ball over from 6 yards out with only Witan players for company. Corner after corner continued. And then – a ball whipped in saw panic in the box. Striker Nick set up for another bicycle kick which saw the Meads left back inexplicably slap the ball away with his hands. Thanks Granddad. Penalty to Witan.
New taker Carl Perry stepped up. Despite the best efforts of the Meads centre back, who hilariously claimed he played semi-pro, to put Carl off, the right back calmly slid into the corner. 3-3. Wisely there was no dab celebration this time, and Carl’s proud parents still wondered whether he’d won the ‘halibut’ despite the goal.
A halibut
With the crowd electric and roaring for more, Witan huffed and puffed for a winner, and there was still time for a final chance. Could they complete the full turnaround? Winger Theo was played through and from a tight angle had a difficult chance to seal the win. A deft flick went over the onrushing goalkeeper… sailed agonisingly just wide. It wasn’t to be.
It was truly a game of two halves and the referee blew up. 3-3. A very poor start from the Barnes outfit followed up by a brilliant comeback. It might not be enough to keep John Fisher within touching distance, but it was an excellent effort to get something from the game.
Next week: must start faster.
Goals: Nick, Justice, Carl (p)
Assists: Guy, Jonny, Nick
Motm: Nick Wyver
Haddock: Elliot Sarl
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