BFC 3-1 Charlton Athletic, Saturday 24th September 2022

‘You still look the same!’

Is it just me enjoying the football much more this season? There’s a lot to be said for being relegated. For a start, you don’t even have to play particularly well to win in the Ale House League. Yes, we showed tremendous potential going forward, yes, we scored three cracking goals…but we also conceded numerous half chances and I don’t know how many shots they had from inside our box. I don’t think I’ve seen a side blaze the ball into the stands quite as much as Chorlton, nor seen a side caught offside as much since Barnsley c.1998-2003.

That said, what an adventurous set up. Kane as holding midfielder. Benson for Beds as a #10 (well, he IS #10!). TWO centre forwards (Cole and Norwood). Luke Thomas floating around. I guess you have to expect the opposition to find gaps with this, nevermind a couple of wingbacks pushing up too. Which left some defending for the 3 centre halves, but they stepped up. Another week, we concede 3 or 4, but we found fortune, looked to score….and got men forward, often 4 or 5 in the box at a time.

Our 3 goals are amongst the best I’ve seen by the Reds in the same match. We went ahead early, 10 mins in, when Benson for Beds unleashed an absolute corker into the top corner from 25 yards. From the moment it was hit, it stayed hit, and flew past a bemused keeper. I loved the keeper’s reaction, screaming at his outfield players for….for what? Whothehell expects Benson to score from THERE? The 2nd, a cheeky finish by Norwood after half time, as Cole breaks free in the box on the right and pulls it back for Norwood to flick it behind his left leg with his right foot. Class. Who is this Norwood? Where’s the bloke struggling to get into a game, never having a sniff? Then the 3rd, a sublime throughball from Kane for Jordan Williams to run on to. (About time we used Jordan’s pace.) He beats 2 Chorlton defenders and lays it on a plate for Cole to sidefoot a deserved finish. The Ponty even breaks out into a chant for our new hero.

As ever, it’s very disappointing to win without breaking sweat, so it came as some relief that we finally allowed Chorlton to score. The defence switches off as a backpost knockdown is rammed in. A look at the stats says this is their only effort on target out of 12. I said they were profligate. 6 mins left, plus injury time….can we throw it away? Can we? No.

Onwards and upwards!

*** Benson for Beds. Vision, skill and a great goal.
** Kane. Vision, skill and a great throughball. The new Mowatt. (Kane can’t tackle either and can be left behind by marauding opposition.)
* Cole. Led the line well and bagged another. Bl**dy hell!

Official MOTM: Benson for Beds.

Londontykes’ MOTM: TBA

Despatches:
Blimey, 6 goals in 2 games. 5 games unbeaten (I’m told). 5th in the table (I’m told). Life is a bed of roses once again (thorny? prickly? Who makes up these analogies?). We are WALTZING through this league, like the Harlem Globetrotters, all one touch moves with Benson providing additional tricks and flicks.

I’m also learning some of our players’ names and I have to say I was impressed (1st half) with new guy Edwards at left centre half. He made some great tackles and one block in particular stopped a certain goal. Plus, being from Stoke City, he can throw a ball. Cadden impressed in spurts too, and with 65 minutes completed, I reckon we’ll see a full 90 out of him by March. For all the attacking prowess, Thomas was quiet, but Chorlton kept showing him onto his right foot, which really wasn’t fair. Norwood, like Cadden, still fails to last, but if I had his girth, neither would I. He’s by far our most cunning player, or ‘master of the dark arts’ as Oakwell historian Woody described him. I also liked the look of Larkeche, who came on for Cadden. He of the worldy free kick fame against the Mags under 21s in midweek. Likes to put in a challenge too. What with Kitching as well (suspended) we suddenly look very strong in the left wing back position. Jordan Williams meantime looks as comfortable as ever down the right, despite an early stumble nearly letting Chorlton in (skied into crowd: see earlier). Yes, things are looking up, as long as the opposition fail to take their chances (Cambridge, Chorlton).

For those who remember the old club shop on Grove Street, I also bumped into Roger and Shirley post-match, a sprightly 84 and 77 respectively. In the good old days, if Barnsley’s away opponents didn’t send any programmes, they’d get on the blower to hassle them. That went with them. Like terracing, the old social club and p***ing against the boundary wall behind the Brewery Stand….club shop staff with a personal touch are one of many things I miss these days. (Still, at least we’re back where I started…division 3!)

Drink du jour: Brewdog Planet Pale Ale.

Away: 588. ‘Is this a library?’ No. There’s no books at Oakwell.

Today’s take home: Piece of p*** this league.

The Damage:
c.£32 travel
= £32

The Tunes:
BB6 Music (Huey Morgan / Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show)
Fat of the Land (Prodigy)
Strange Cargo Hinterland (William Orbit)