The league champions' final game of the season was not to be taken lightly by coaches Justin and Pete, who have instilled in the team a fluent style of passing football which remains uncompromised even under intense pressure from the opposition. Today, generously rotating players in the hope that all would score by the end of the season, they were title-winning tinkermen evoking Claudio Ranieri waiting for the strains of Nessun Dorma to silence Bearwood Recreation Ground in honour of the champions.

During a tight first half in which both teams expressed a clear reluctance to concede, it took some skilful interplay in midfield to unlock the Barbarians' defence before the ball fell to Eddie who seized the moment decisively and side-footed it into the net with the goalie out of position. Meanwhile, expert defensive marshal Emmanuel, supported by a supremely assured performance from Leo in goal, repelled the Winnersh attacks like a bored toll both operator nonchalantly keeping the barrier lowered to miles of traffic.

The second half was his own turn for an offensive foray, but in what one spectator called 'The Battle of the Man Buns', as players with matching haircuts regularly competed at corners, the game remained in delicate balance: delicate balance, that is, until like Tony Sealy in 1987 in front of a packed Putney End after Bournemouth had already secured promotion, super-striker Stefan unleashed a visionary shot from just inside the Winnersh half to lob the keeper with a clear contender for goal of the season, rivalled perhaps by Connor (once described as being to football what Muller is to yoghurts: he will always find something special and put it in the corner) whose intricate run and top corner finish away at Burghfield a few weeks ago will live long in the memory banks.
Alex