Recliners report:

A well contested match between two closely matched teams, where the difference was mainly in the quality of the finishing. Recliners made a slow start and twice allowed Madras players time and space in the box due to poor marking, both of which were punished by clinical finishes. Recliners then got on top and a superb move ended with Gaffers notching his first ever goal for the franchise. 2-1 HT. The pattern was similar in the second half, Recliners with the bulk of the possession but Madras looking dangerous on the break. A sweetly struck direct free kick sealed the game for them and although we came close, hitting the woodwork a couple of times and bringing some tidy saves from the Madras keeper, the result never looked in doubt. Game was played in good spirit barring one disappointing incident which resulted in a Madras player being asked to leave the field. We tried our best to have a drink together after  but of course the dreaded Covid meant we had to sit at different tables in the pub and weren’t even allowed to speak to each other! We look forward to the return game.

Real Madras report:

A game that could have gone either way. Real Madras started the first half on the front foot going 2-0 up and then recliners clawed there way back into the game as the half went on and eventually getting a goal there play deserved. The Second half was almost a replica of the first with Real on top in the early stages of the half and scoring from a free kick which hit the cross bar and came off the keeper and went in. Recliners pushed forward to get themselves back into the game, only for Madras Keeper to make some keys save at crucial points in the half. The less said the better about the incident in the second half. I apologise on behalf of the club and this will be dealt with internally.  Thanks Mike for sorting out a pitch and the referee for a game that was technically our home match. I had to make a quick exit yesterday as it was my wife’s birthday. Hopefully we can all have a more sociable beer next time for the return game.

From the off lets not mention the missed penalty from Manager Gregory. It had no effect on the outcome of the match and so lets firmly draw a line under that unfortunate incident.

Rapid again had a full 16 for this game with only Super ‘Kevin Costner’ Fan Clive Slocombe puling out of the match at the last minute due to a confirmed sighting of the American actor at Peasedown St John.

Manager Gregory made use of squad rotation once again leaving some of the big guns, and small ones on the bench. Rapid once again started as they have most games, controlling the play but lacking that final cutting edge. The breakthrough finally came when Matt Curtis chased down a ball into the box and spasmed his way to prodding the ball home.

Barely continued to be very hard to break down and no further goals came until the second half.

Rapid continued to struggle to find a consistent pattern of play but two goals in quick succession from Jason Curtis and Sam Gurner gave Rapid a firm lead that never looked in trouble.

All in all a good day at the office and a very fair and enjoyable game, both sides showing good Corinthian spirit!

MOM Paul Griffths

Match day 1
October 25th.
Rapid D 3 Barely 1.
Paul Loftus manager.
Alan
Batts Dave Harris Mark Mclaughlin
Dave sweeting Scott Davidson Mark Green rich Cormack Kevin Davies
John Rossetti Andy B
Subs
Dazza Kevin Dobbins Paul Loftus.

To be fair Rapid are a good young 45s team and played good football with great discipline.
For long periods Barely were pegged back but held firm. Only conceding 2 goals either side of half time. The first was well worked out the second was down to some sloppy defending.
After the break Barely pressed more but age and the big heavy pitch started to tell and again Rapid camped themselves in Barelys half. Some borderline challenges from Barely and great saves from Allan kept the score down but eventually Dave Harris tried mating with Rapids number 9 in the box (literally) and a penalty was given. But in the spirit of the game and under immense pressure from his own team mates the number 9 blazed over the bar. Rapid did eventually nick a third but by then Barely had ran out of ideas and legs.
Not a bad game and Barely will probably play worse and win!