Feeney won an early corner, but the inevitable breakaway led to a ricochet from Stewart off Owusu for a goal-kick. Feeney was soon running & shooting, with one almost landing on a 65 bus behind us. The wind took a long Bees cross, and Stewart just managed to punch it away, then Hughes had our first - but weak - shot on target. Bees seemed more controlled, but Kandol did well down the left only for Holmes to be felled. Corner - no pen. - and the ankle injury didn’t seem to reduce his pace. Stewart had to punch clear again from a backheaded "clearance", Hughes was yellowed for a heavy challenge, and another "shot" on goal rolled to the Bees keeper. Their next attack saw a cross-shot rolling along the goal-line. Feeney fed Kandol, whose chip was just too far ahead of Feeney’s run. Stewart tipped over a point-blank shot superbly but was evidently not commanding his area otherwise. Then we had a justified claim for hand-ball (outside the area) ignored; free-kick instead for off-side. Stock curled a superb 25-yard free-kick but the keeper caught it just in front of the angle. Tindall put in a flat cross but Kandol headed straight at the keeper.
This sounds fine, but in truth I was still waiting for the footie to start. Both sides hit the ball too high; the wind catching it made passing a lottery. Very few brain cells were evident on either side; our main attacking ploy seemed to be to hoof it up beyond Holmes, who would reach their keeper just in time to make him clear into touch, i.e. we’d retain possession. HT 0-0 was fair.
Second verse, same as the first. Corners alternated, including one from a superb Stock-Feeney break, but the latter must’ve been injured as Hayter replaced him on 56. Holmes’ ankle was tapped again, but he later managed to hook one just over. Then a curious sequence. Stewart took the ball back inside the area, threw it out, the liner flagged, the free-kick was taken just outside the area but hit well over the bar, and Stewart was booked, We presume his hand went beyond the area when releasing the ball. Stock slung a splendid ball diagonally across field - reminiscent of Charlie George - but offside was given. Then from a Bees corner, Stock wheeled away round an opponent and set up a great move down the right. He at least did show some class, fleetingly.
Bees were mysteriously awarded a free-kick on our right, which was driven hard and low to the near post. A deflection just inside the post put Bees up 1-0 on 84; this led to Elliott replacing Holmes on 86. To be fair, Big Del had done what he could - he’s awkward & has a surprisingly deft pass. Then Thomas for Purches on 88, but by this time rain was adding insult to injury. Melligan was not even used on his last day with the club.
Another defeat; we competed and spoiled, but the standard of play was barely mediocre (Bees hardly any better) and some more hard games coming up. This will go to the wire. All we could do was enjoy Mighty Oak at the Magpie and Crown, and a curry across the road. They must’ve had a female chef - after all, no woman, no Korai…
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AFCB: Stewart, Tindall, Howe, Maher, Purches, Hughes, O'Connor, Stock, Kandol, Feeney, Holmes
Subs: Smith, Melligan, Thomas (on for Purches, 88 mins), Hayter (on for Feeney on 56 mins), Elliott (for Holmes on 86 mins)
Pete Wicks, Greenford