A fitting finale

Monday 3rd September

Barney Moverley Memorial

Easington United Reserves 6 Roos 2

 

Thankfully, given the controversy of the trip to Harworth, I didn’t have too long to wait for my next football “fix”, with the Stiffs entertaining fellow East Riding County League side Roos in the Barney Moverley Memorial Trophy game.

The “Barney Game” – as it’s commonly called – is an annual fixture played in memory for former Youth Leader, Councillor and well-known local personality Barney Moverley. 
It is now in its seventh year, quite an achievement given the way so many of these “memorial” fixtures seem to disappear off the calendar in a relatively short passage of time.  

It must be said, however, that it was an achievement to get it played this year given that opponents Roos – currently plying their trade in Division 3 - looked to have had the “close season from Hell”.  With just over a week to go to the game (and twelve days before the County League kicked-off) manager Les Sennett was struggling to raise a team.

Thankfully, in time-honoured fashion, he eventually succeeded and for an hour his side continued the fixtures recent trend for competitiveness.

Goals by Danny Uscroft and Matty Dixon pegged us back at 1-1 and 3-2 before the Stiffs netted three times late on to ensure their seventh win in eight years.

 

There was some angle required on the lens for this photo!

 

This was my fourth viewing of Gav’s new-look Reserve string in pre-season and perhaps the most accomplished yet.

Perhaps this wasn't surprising as against Brandesburton in the Holderness Cup Winners Cup the new man had been torn by a need to stay loyal to the South Holderness Cup-winning squad, while the game at home to Patrington had seen several of his players selected to line up for their Sunday side.

With the new league season now just five days away, the Roos result – and overall performance – was just the tonic he and new assistant Dave Gatti needed.

It was also a fine way with which to end another pre-season at the Farm.

A full report of the game can be found here.