British Lion Football Club

Competition         Opponent                           Score

Friendly      A       Bromham FC                     Won 7-3

Friendly      H       The Crown Devizes             Won 5-1

League       H       Blue Circle                         Won 7-2

League       A       AFC Calne                         Lost 0-3

League       H       Sir Audley Arms                 Drew 0-0

Cup            H       Westbury Rangers A          Lost 2-4

League       A       Corsham Park Rangers       Won 7-1

League       H       Somerford                          Drew 4-4

League       A       Trowbridge Town SC           Won 5-2

League       A       North Star B                       Won 2-0

League       A       Rowde Dynamos                 Lost 1-2

League       A       Wheatsheaf                        Drew 3-3

League       H       AFC Calne                          Lost 0-2

League       A       Blue Circle                          Won 7-1

League       H      Rowde Dynamos                  Won 3-0

League       A       Pack Horse Rangers            Won 4-0

League       H       Trowbridge Town SC            Won 4-1

League       A       Somerford                           Won 4-0

League       H       Westbury Rangers B            Won 4-0

League       A       Sir Audley Arms                   Drew 3-3

League       H       North Star B                         Won 4-0

League       H       Wheatsheaf                          Won 2-0

League       A       Westbury Rangers B             Lost 2-1

League       H       Corsham Park Rangers         Won 6-0

League       H       Fascia Graphics                    Drew 1-1

Friendly      A       Pig & Whistle                        Won 5-1

League       A       Fascia Graphics                    Won 3-0

League       H       Pack Horse Rangers              Won 11-0

Corsham Park Rangers 1 Bar OC 7 – 2 October 2005

Corsham Park Rangers minus several of their key players hosted a Bar OC side returning to the strength of last season.

The opening exchanges indicated how open a game this was going to be.  Bar OC’s, Danny Powell heading over Mikey O’Donnell’s corner within two minutes and at the other end, Mike Blunsdon was only denied by a sharp save by Mark Stonestreet.  On 12 minutes, a corner from Corsham’s Ashley Rich found Blunsdon but his header flashed across the Bar OC box.

The reply was decisive.  Danny Powell turned Kevin Streeter and although Luke McFarlane did well to push his shot onto the post, Rob Drown gleefully tapped home the rebound to make it 1-0 to the visitors.  The game continued to flow from end to end and then exploded in six crazy minutes on the half hour. 

Bar OC extended their lead when Tom Paget bundled the ball through to Powell whose left-footed finish was sublime.  Four minutes later, Andrew Webster met Duncan Biggin’s long free kick first time and it was 3-0.  A minute later a mirror of the previous goal to make 4-0 – this time Mark Stonestreet’s long kick was clinically finished by Powell. And straight from the kick off, Warren Jones pulled a goal back when he cut inside and drilled a right foot drive past Stonestreet.

Corsham nearly grabbed another straight after when sloppy play from Bar OC resulted in Luke Wolf charging down Stonestreet’s kick and seeing the rebound roll just wide of the goal.  Bar OC should have extended their lead twice just before the break.  Firstly, Stuart Beeho did enough to deflect Webster’s shot over the ball and from the resulting Craig Watt corner, Paget inexplicably headed over from five yards.

The next goal was going to be decisive and Bar OC effectively killed the game in another six-minute burst straight after the interval.  Dave Crawford headed the ball clear, Drown flicked on and Webster shrugged off a last ditch challenge before firing home.  The Bar OC battering ram completed his hat-trick, and visitor’s sixth, from close range three minutes later when the brilliant Powell held the ball up before splitting the defence with a killer ball.  Powell got his well-deserved hat-trick three minutes with a great solo strike from the edge of the box to make it 7-1.

Corsham won a penalty on 57 minutes when O’Donnell was adjudged to have handled on the edge of the Bar OC box. Any dispute over the decision became irrelevant as Stonestreet smartly turned aside George Bentley’s spot kick.  Corsham threw bodies forward but they were always going to get caught on the counter.  John Stockman and Biggin linked well before setting Drown free from the halfway line.  His early strike comfortably gathered by McFarlane. With time running out, Powell presented Paget with a gift from three yards but he amazingly shot wide.

Bar OC 4 Somerford 4 – 9 October 2005

 

Bar OC’s Jekyll and Hyde season continued with a patchy display against visitors Somerford.

 

Somerford had the better of the opening exchanges and although strike partners Nation and Yeo were lively, the visitors didn’t really threaten the home side’s goal.  Bar OC nearly scored on 11 minutes when Rob Drown stabbed the ball through to Tom Paget but the midfielder’s 15-yard shot curled over the bar.  The home side took the lead two minutes later.  Paget flicked on John Stockman’s throw and Drown nipped in front of goalkeeper Whittaker to nod home.

 

Bar OC then started to take control of the game and should have extended their lead on several occasions.  Mid way through the half, Tom Evans and Paget linked well before Drown shot wide. Andrew Webster then set Darren Brown free on the right flank and his precision cross was headed over by Paget from 6 yards. Paget and Drown then both missed further good chances from close range as the home side dominated.

 

As often happens in football, missed chances can come back and haunt a team.  On 30 minutes Yeo turned Duncan Biggin on the halfway line and with his first time ball catching the Bar OC defence flat-footed, Nation ran the length of the half to slip ball past Mark Stonestreet to make it 1-1.  Nation then put Somerford ahead on the stroke of halftime when unmarked at the back post he smashed Yeo’s flick in off the post.

 

Yeo extended the visitors lead straight after the restart.  Mikey O’Donnell’s back header was way short of Stonestreet and the nippy striker was on hand to drill the loose ball home.  Somerford by now were on fire and Watkins should have added a fourth on 50 minutes but shot wide.  The fourth did come on 68 minutes again with the help of some nonexistent defending by the home side.  Nation crossed and Yeo completely unmarked at the back post fired home from close range.

 

Webster had a half chance to pull one straight after Britton came up with a great tackle just as the beefy striker was about to shoot.  Bar OC did sense a lifeline a minutes later.  Duncan Biggin’s shot hit the post and Luke Enderby was on hand to tap home the rebound.  Two minutes later it was 4-3.  Webster brought a brilliant reaction save out of Whittaker but was he helpless as Paget gleefully poked the loose ball in. 

 

As time ran out and Bar OC threw bodies forward, Somerford looked dangerous on the counterattack.  With four minutes left Jones could have sealed the points but shot over from 20 yards.  The miss was crucial as with barely a minute left Andrew Webster fired a 30yard drive from left touchline into the top corner of Whittaker’s net to make it 4-4.  Drown nearly got the winner with seconds left but Whittaker saved bravely at his feet.

 

Trowbridge Town SC 2 Bar OC 5 – 16 October 2005

 

From the kick off Bar OC ripped into a depleted Trowbridge Town Supporters Club side and went ahead within two minutes.  Danny Powell’s cross was beautifully brought down by Luke Enderby and the slick footed striker cut inside Andy Pickernell before driving home from 15 yards.

 

Bar’s Rob Drown danced past four players on 23 minutes and with what would have been one of the goals of the season, then proceeded to chip his shot over Rob Newton and the crossbar.  Trowbridge had their first meaningful chance two minutes later when Rob Walker headed John Walters’ freekick wide.  The visitors went 2-0 up a minutes later.  Darren Brown threaded a ball through to Drown who drew the keeper and allowed Enderby to slide home at the back post.

 

Bar should have got another from the restart. Craig Watt’s curled cross was met well by Brown’s head and only Newton’s great reactions saved the day.  Trowbridge grabbed a goal straight after.  From nothing Simon Hussey unleashed a crisp volley from the edge of the box, which kicked viciously in front of Mark Stonestreet and flew in off of the underside of the bar. Trowbridge nearly equalised 3 minutes later.  Paul Strickland under hit his back pass and only the fingertips of Stonestreet stopped Ross Heard from scoring.

 

The let off was enough to spur Bar OC to step up the gas and their third came on 38 minutes.  John Stockman was fouled in the penalty area and Watt stepped up to calmly dispatch the spot kick.  The fourth came three minutes before the break.  Watt’s chipped through ball set Drown one on one with the keeper and midfielder made no mistake from 15 yards.

 

Bar started the second period in similar fashion.  Mikey O’Donnell’s 60-yard ball set Powell free and his deft flick rolled wide of Newton’s far post.  Newton pulled a smart save a minute later when he turned aside Brown’s rasping 20-yard strike.  Trowbridge didn’t give up and they pulled a goal back on 57 minutes.  Walker’s cross was deflected off of Dave Crawford’s arm and looped over Stonestreet to leave Heard with the easy job of heading home from 2 yards.

 

Powell rattled Newton’s left hand post from 30 yards on 65 minutes after Enderby set him up but it wasn’t long before the visitors sealed the points.  Enderby weighted his pass perfectly and Luke Hunneyball’s first time shot from 18 yards went in off the post.

 

Bar OC eased off as time ran out but could have got sixth at the death when Enderby’s cross just eluded Fran Fife at the back post.

 

North Star B 0 Bar OC 2 – 23 October 2005

 

Bar OC went into this game looking to consolidate their league position following a good performance the previous week.

 

However, it was a spirited North Star side that took the game to the visitors in the opening exchanges and the lively Baker posed problems for the Bar OC defence.  Against the run of play, Bar OC have the first real chance when Rob Drown robbed Darren Lymath but his 18 yard strike was well saved by Roy Wenham in the Star goal.  Four minutes later, Bar had another half chance when Craig Watt’s inswinging corner was met by the Bar’s battering ram, Andrew Webster who headed wide.

 

Bar OC slowly took control the game and on 20 minutes Luke Enderby set John Stockman from 25 yards – Mr Utility’s drive fizzing over Wenham’s cross bar.  Bar were by now totally dominating the game but could not find a way past Stuart Field and Darren Lymath at the heart of the Star defence.  On 30 minutes, Wenham smartly saved Webster’s free kick and Enderby drilled the rebound into the side netting.

 

Wenham spilled Webster’s shot just before the break but Lymath bravely blocked Energy’s shot on the rebound when the young striker looked certain to score.

 

With the game still at 0-0, going into the second half, it looked like the first goal would be crucial.  Craig Watt’s corner’s were posing problems on 52 minutes, centre half, Dave Crawford, powered another header just over.  Luke Hunneyball then unlocked the Star defence and his cross eluded both Webster and Enderby flying in.

 

North Star’s forays into Bar OC territory were becoming scare but on the hour they nearly took the lead.  Pitcher’s free kick was well met by Yates but his header flew just over.  Sadly, the game was decided three minutes later, when Yates was needlessly sent off for questioning the referee's vision.

 

Despite being down to 10 men, it was Star who nearly scored.  Sampson’s long ball found Baker in space and only a last ditch tackle by Stockman stopped the pacey striker from unleashing a shot.  Tom Paget, Drown and Stockman then played a sublime set of 1-2’s which set up Webster.  Wenham again thwarting the big target man.

 

Bar OC finally broke the stubborn resistance with 14 minutes left.  Webster squared to Enderby who realising his chance had now gone unselfishly set up the big striker to volley home from 6 yards. Bar OC sub, Danny Rawlings, nearly gave Star a lifeline when his clearance lobbed just wide of his own goal.  The game was finally put to bed with three minutes left.  Darren Brown’s cross clinically despatched by Webster from 6 yards to give Bar OC a 2-0 win.

 

 

Rowde Dynamos 2 Bar OC 1 – 13 November 2005

 

The much-awaited derby between Rowde Dynamos and Bar OC took place in front of an eager crowd at Sands Lane.

 

It was Bar OC who started the quickest out of the blocks, and in the opening minutes, Danny Powell found Andrew Webster in space, but his shot was comfortably saved by Ashley Robinson in the Rowde goal.  Despite being on the back foot during the opening exchanges, it was Rowde who grabbed a crucial lead on 9 minutes.  Jamie Selby’s corner was only partially headed clear by Darren Brown, and Martin Robinson’s volley was turned home by Ray Clements.

 

Bar OC roared back and two minutes later, Ashley Robinson acrobatically turned over Webster’s 25-yard free kick.  The resulting corner from Mikey O’Donnell found Dave Crawford at the back post, but the big central defender’s header flashed wide.  Bar nearly scored on 15 minutes when midfielder Tom Paget headed a loose ball past Ashley Robinson only for the other Robinson to scramble off the line.  Powell then rounded Robinson to put the ball in the Rowde net, but this was surprisingly ruled out for offside.  Powell blasted over on 20 minutes, and it seemed it was only a matter of time before the visitors equalised.  Rowde always looked dangerous on the break, and Ashley Edwards’s 25-yard strike only just whistled wide of Mark Stonestreet’s goal.

 

On 34 minutes, Powell again rounded the keeper, but Craig Whitbread somehow hooked the striker’s shot off the line.  Jamie Mullens had so far been kept fairly quiet, but the Devizes Town striker showed his ability on 37 minutes when losing his marker, his 18 yard strike rattled Stonestreet’s crossbar.  Just before the break, O’Donnell’s clever set piece allowed Powell to unleash a vicious 20-yard volley – the ball striking teammate Crawford and deflecting wide.  Robinson saved Rowde again in the dying seconds of the half to prevent Duncan Biggin’s close range header.

 

Rowde should have extended their lead straight after the break.  Mullens found a yard of space, and Stonestreet superbly blocked his close range shot.  Bar OC deservedly equalised straight after.  Biggin’s ball found Paget who released Rob Drown in full stride and the midfielder slotted home from 12 yards.  Powell then blasted wide on 51 minutes and it looked like the visitors would claim both points.  However, Rowde dug deep and slowly clawed their way back into the game.  The tricky Mullens weaved a merry path on the hour, and when it looked certain he would score, Stonestreet stood firm and turned his shot aside.

 

With game looking like it would fade into a draw, there was still time for a few moments drama.  On 82 minutes, Drown set up Crawford and his rasping drive was brilliantly turned over by Ashley Robinson to the dismay of the visitors.  The save became more significant, as another lapse in the Bar OC defence two minutes later allowed Mullens to fire home a last gasp winner.

 

Wheatsheaf 3 Bar OC 3 - 27 November 2005

 

Wheatsheaf and Bar OC shared the points in a thrilling six goal encounter at Goatacre.  Bar OC started strong but it was Wheatsheaf's Andy Law who put the home side ahead when his speculative lob drifted over Mark Stonestreet.  Richard Bowden then made it two before the break and it looked like the visitors would lose their thrid game of the season.

 

However, a couple of switches in at half time saw Bar OC step up their perforamance in the second period and they pulled a goal back on 56 minutes when Tom Paget's long range shot trickled past Lee White in the Wheatsheaf goal.  John Stockman, now thrown up front in the second period, scored his first goal for the club as Bar OC equalised on 67 minutes.  The visitors were now totally in control and when subsititute Craig Watt scored from the penalty spot six minutes later, it looked Bar OC had completed a remarkable come back. 

 

It was not to be as with eight minutes left a Gavin Cox corner curled in the wind into the top corner of the Bar OC goal to give the home side a point.

Bar OC 0 AFC Calne 2 – 11 December 2005

A  foggy and frosty morning greeted the players of Bar OC and AFC Calne at Bromham.

Like most encounters between these two sides, the game started cagily and chances were few and far between.  However, Calne took the lead on 13 minutes when the livewire, Dean Fry cut inside Dave Crawford and unleashed a low drive that from 25 yards that beat Mark Stonestreet’s despairing dive.  Although missing both regular starting strikers, Bar OC seemed unphased and three minutes later, Mikey O’Donnell’s 22-yard free kick was only parried by Aaron Ward and the ball scrambled away before a green shirted player could drill home the rebound.

The influential Simon Dance tested Stonestreet on the half hour but the Bar OC goalkeeper smartly turned aside his fierce 30-yard strike.  Bar OC should have equalised on 37 minutes.  John Stockman did well to hold off Sam Parrish and teed up Rob Drown but from 15 yards and the goal at his mercy, the midfielder shot wide.  Three minutes later, the legs of goalkeeper Ward denied Stockman and Drown fired the rebound over.  With Bar OC looking like they would grab an equaliser, the half ended on 40 minutes much to the bewilderment of both sides’ managers.

Just before the hour Calne could have extended their lead when Dance’s vicious left-foot volley whistled over the bar with Stonestreet helpless.  The home side raised their game and Calne were forced to defend resolutely.  The introduction of Tom Evans to the game nearly immediately brought dividends when on 65 minutes the striker was clattered in the box.  With the home side appealing for a penalty, Stockman fired the loose ball against the bar and over. 

Bar OC were awarded a controversial penalty on 69 minutes when Evans was alleged to have been brought down by Craig Fry and resulted in a rather unpleasant melee.  However, Ward brilliantly saved Crawford’ penalty to preserve Calne’s lead.  Ward again came to the rescue on 75 minutes to deny Drown and 2 minutes later Evans narrowly hooked his shot wide.

Calne’s attacks were now becoming sporadic but Jason Matthews had a chance to seal the points with 5 minutes remaining when Aaron Clegg’s cross was palmed away by Stonestreet.  However, Calne’s player/manager clipped his shot over from close range.

In the dying seconds, Evans’ cross found Luke Hunneyball but his shot was deflected wide.  The resulting corner found Fran Fife but somehow his shot was cleared off the Calne line.  Further salt was rubbed into the wound as with virtually the last kick of the game. Gerry Thompson brought down Calne substitute Shaun Ward and the spotkick was calmly despatched by Dance to make it 2-0.

Blue Circle 1 Bar OC 7 – 18 December 2005

 

Referee Julian Sattin thought carefully before allowing Blue Circle host Bar OC on a slowly defrosting pitch at the cement works.  Initially, it looked a questionable decision as both sides slipped and skidded around on the hard surface.

 

Circle settled quicker and the pacey Wayne Bristow was only denied a clear run on goal by Danny Rawlings closing him down at the last moment.  With the surface starting to break up and justifying the referee’s decision, Bar OC took control of the game.  The return of Danny Powell to the starting line up was evident as the Devizes Town ace fired a hat trick in 9 minutes.  On 13 minutes, Tom Evans’s through ball was missed by Martin Whitting to allow Powell to exquisitely curl home from 20yards.  Six minutes later, Mark Hulland broke free down the right wing and Powell tapped his cross in.  Four minutes later, Powell created his third on his own by turning his marker and driving home from 8 yards.

 

Tom Evans grabbed Bar OC’s fourth just before the half hour.  A Circle attack broke down to John Stockman and the midfielder hit a beautifully weighted 35-yard through ball to allow the Evans to chance to guide his shot past the keeper.  It was at this point that Circle shuffled their side around again and Gary King became their third goalkeeper.  It was an inspired choice as King saved first from Evans and Powell within three minutes and did enough to force Evans to lob his shot over the ball straight after.  Bar OC’s fifth came on 36 minutes.  Rob Drown headed Mikey O’Donnell’s free kick down and Stockman hooked home from six yards.

 

Blue Circle came out strong at the start of the second half and Bristow’s cross was blasted over by Daryl Maxwell.  On 51 minutes, Bar OC’s Rawlings was penalised for a foul on the edge of the penalty box and Matt Bradley’s free kick was well held by Mark Stonestreet.  A minute later, Maxwell pounced on Rawlings’ slip to calmly shoot on target only to see the young Bar OC defender recover and clear off the line.

 

With Hulland and Drown now injured, Bar OC reshuffled their side.  Powell’s cross was well met by Tom Paget but the midfielder’s header cannoned back off of the crossbar.  The sixth goal came on 56 minutes from a similar cross from Powell.  This time, Luke Enderby’s header went in off the woodwork.  Enderby turned provider on 73 minutes when he released John Stockman.  King superbly turned his shot round for a corner.

 

Bristow proved to be a valuable outlet for Circle all game and he nearly pulled a goal back but was denied by Powell’s last gasp tackle.  However, Circle did score with seven minutes left when three Bar OC defenders allowed Scott Walford to poke home left Martin Hemmens’ cross.  Bar immediately retaliated and Paget drilled home from ten yards after Enderby’s deft back heel had opened the Blue Circle defence.

 

Bar OC 3 Rowde Dynamos 0 – 8 January 2006

Old rivals Bar OC and Rowde Dynamos meet at a cold and overcast Jubilee Fields in a top of the table clash in Division 3.

Rowde’s star spangled side started brightly and Marcus Wallen tested Mark Stonestreet in the third minute – the keeper doing enough to brilliantly block the strikers volley and allow Mikey O’Donnell to clear the lines.  Despite a much-weakened side it was Bar OC who took the lead on 7 minutes.  Rob Drown powered into the box and his shot was charged down by Jamie Selby’s hand.  Tom Paget clinically despatched the penalty.

Former Bar OC and Crown striker and now Rowde wingback Rob Mitchell tested Stonestreet on 15 minutes but the keeper was sharp enough to turn his 20-yard shot round.  The visitors were further punished straight after when a slick Bar OC move ended up with Luke Enderby’s cross being turned into his own net by the unfortunate Martin Robinson. 

Bar OC should have extended their lead on 22 minutes when Enderby’s measured cross left strike partner John Stockman with a great chance at the back post.  The former Rowde player’s header went wide.  The lively Wallen pounced on a half chance on 28 minutes but Stonestreet comfortably saved the striker’s shot.  Rowde paid the price a minute later.  Danny Rawlings playing in an unusual right sided position powered his way through and set up Enderby who calmly slotted home to make it 3-0.

A rejuvenated Rowde started the second period and nearly scored immediately. Nathan Emm was left in space and only the bravery and skill of Stonestreet denied the Rowde striker from close range.  Two minutes later Dave Crawford came to Bar OC’s rescue with a last ditch tackle to deny Wallen.

On the counter Bar OC nearly got a fourth when midfield maestro Drown set free Rawlings.  The young defender’s shot was clawed away by Robinson.  Rowde’s midfield general Nathan Moffat fired a 20-yard strike but Stonestreet again saved comfortably.

Bar OC sat on their 3-0 lead, but still looked dangerous on set pieces. O’Donnell pinged in another free kick and Stockman’s close range shot somehow flew straight into Robinson’s hands.  Stockman still had time for glory against his old team but when set up by Crawford and Luke Hunneyball he rolled his close range shot wide.

Bar OC took the points to give retiring manager Phil Oliver a happy farewell present.

Pack Horse Rangers 0 Bar OC 4 - 15 January 2006

Bar OC visited Pack Horse Rangers at Stanley Park in Chippenham looking to continue their current good form.

With difficult playing conditions underfoot, Bar OC were on the back foot early on but seemed to cope with the home side's threat with the giant Shahram Hemmati leading the line. However, it was Bar OC who broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half through Fran Fife's neat finish.  Bar OC now took control of the game but were unable to score furthe before the interval.

The second half began with the away side continuning to dominate and they scored a second thanks to Tom Paget's sweet strike from the corner of the penalty box following an exquisite through ball from Duncan Biggin.  Paget had a great chance to net once again only a minute later as he found himself unmarked at the far post only two yards out, but incredibly he scuffed his effort rather embarrassingly to the relief of the home side.

A half fit John Stockman came off of the bench to make it 3-0 with his first touch when he calmy slotted home after being left unmarked in the Rangers penalty area.  This proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Rangers as Bar OC took complete control from here on. Darren Brown scored a 4th goal via a wicked deflection with just a few minutes left from the edge of the box.

Crawford could of notched his first goal for the club from a bullet header in the dying minutes, had it not been for fellow team-mate Paget's inexcusable deflection away from the far bottom corner of the goal.

Bar OC 4 Trowbridge Town SC 1 – 22 January 2006

A cold and misty morning at Bromham greeted highflying Bar OC and an improving Trowbridge Town Supporters Club.

With neither side taking a grip, the game started with a midfield tussle as both teams tried to gain supremacy.  Bar OC’s first chance came on 8 minutes when Luke Enderby’s cross was sweetly struck first time by Luke Hunneyball but flew wide of Rob Newton’s goal. Four minutes Mark Hulland was set up Danny Powell’s header but before the midfielder could shot, Ben John slid in to the rescue.  A minute later, Hulland met Enderby’s cross but Andy Pickernell did enough to deflect the shot wide. The resulting corner was header over by an unmarked Powell.

With Bar OC now taking control of the game, Newton came to Trowbridge’s rescue on several occasions.  On 23 minutes he bravely blocked Enderby’s close range effort and on the half hour acted smartly to grasp the striker’s deflected 18-yard drive.

Newton was posing a difficult obstacle to beat and with John and Dave Hyde marshalling Trowbridge’s backline, it was becoming very frustrating for the home side.  The opener came on bang on halftime.  Rob Drown missed Fran Fife’s cross first time round but he gleefully blasted home when a skewed clearance ended up back at his feet.

Enderby’s work rate was tireless and his all round game deserved a goal.  He had another chance three minutes after the break following god work from Powell and Darren Brown but shot wide.  Bar OC got their second on 65 minutes.  Enderby pulled then ball back to Mark Hulland who beat two tackles before hitting the net from edge of the box.

 Mark Hulland skips past two tackles before scoring Bar OC's second

Two minutes later, Enderby and Powell set up Drown but the midfielder’s cross shot whistled wide of Newton’s back stick.  Newton acted smartly four minutes later to grasp Powell’s 30-yard free kick when it looked like it might creep past him. Bar OC’s domination was not reflected by goals and this nearly came to haunt them.

On 77 minutes, Trowbridge were gifted a penalty when Nick Buckle fell over in the Bar OC penalty area without anyone appearing to touch him.  Steve Munday tucked away Trowbridge’s only shot of the game.  Two minutes later Newton again came to the visitor’s rescue when he tipped over Enderby’s rasping drive but could do nothing on 84 minutes as Danny Powell weaved his way through to tap in from six yards.

Trowbridge's Johnny Grogan prevents Bar OC's Duncan Biggin from getting his shot in

With time running out their was still time for centre half Dave Crawford to crack a 25 yard pile driver onto Newton’s left-hand post and for Tom Evans to bundle home Bar OC’s fourth from Luke Hunneyball’s cross.

Somerford 0 Bar OC 4 – 29 January 2006

 

For the first occasion in some time, Somerford were able to field a full strength side for the visit of a weakened Bar OC side.

 

With the wind in their favour, Bar OC dominated from the start and it wasn’t long before Paul Whittaker was called into action.  On three minutes he smartly turned aside Rob Drown’s 20-yard shot and a minute later acrobatically tipped Gerry Thompson’s volley onto the bar. 

 

The wind prohibited Somerford from getting forward but stand-in goalkeeper Dave Crawford did well on the quarter of an hour to block Rawlins’ close range effort.  With three strikers unavailable, Mark Hulland played up front for Bar OC and he was denied only again by Whittaker’s agility five minutes later.  The keeper superbly saving Hulland’s 15-yard strike.  Duncan Biggin then headed Mikey O’Donnell’s corner over as the away team struggled to break down Somerford’s resilient defence.

 

The breakthrough came on 30 minutes.  Another O’Donnell corner was headed down to Hulland, and this time the 15 yard shot was good enough to beat Whittaker.  Bar OC continued to throw bodies forward, as Somerford tried to hang until the break.  Biggin flashed another header wide of the goal from a Drown corner and right on half time Hulland rolled his shot wide after set up by Drown.

 

With the wind now in their favour, Somerford sensed they still were in with a chance going into the second period.  However, a halftime grilling from Phil Oliver seemed to be enough for Bar OC to step up a gear.  From the kick-off John Stockman was left with a clear run on the Somerford goal but skewed wide. Stockman and Thompson then set up Hulland but his stab went just wide. Somerford were lively going forward and Simpkins’ cross on 53 minutes was blasted over by Chris Yeo.

 

Bar OC got their second on the hour.  The maverick Drown teased Somerford again to set up first Thompson and then Stockman.  With no Bar OC player wanting to put the ball into the net, it was left to the unfortunate, Ben Clark to turn it into his own goal.  Stockman was now tearing his marker to shreds and Hulland could have done better when released by the midfielder on 70 minutes. A minute later Darren Brown robbed Frayling but then defended was sharp enough to deflect the midfielder’s shot wide.  Frayling saved Somerford from the resulting corner when he headed Stockman’s shot of the line.

 

Within a minute, Treharne rasped a 25-yard drive that Crawford was alert enough to gather.  Five minutes later, Chandler’s long freekick was sliced by O’Donnell but Crawford turned the deflection over.  It was Somerford’s last chance as ion the dying minutes, the visitors secured their win.  Although Whittaker brilliantly parried Hulland’s close range header on 84 minutes, he was helpless a minute later as Brown crashed home from 20 yards.  Hulland got a deserved second in injury time when he tapped home following Whittaker’s great save from Drown’s initial shot.

 

 Bar OC 4 Westbury Rangers B 0 – 5 February 2006

Hangovers a plenty at Bromham as Bar OC hosted a Westbury Rangers side sadly depleted from last weeks shock win against Sir Audley Arms.

Bar OC started strongly and it only took six minutes for them to open the scoring.  Danny Powell pounced on Kevan Farrar’s slip and after linking with Mark Hulland, Tom Paget was left with time to fire home from 15 yards.

However, with the home side now commanding, the expected floodgates never opened.  Bar OC became sloppy and Rangers, magnificently lead by Farrar and his fellow defenders, dug in and scrapped. Paget could have had a second on ten minutes when hesitation between keeper Kevin Balchin and a defender , let the midfielder stab a shot just wide.

Bar OC became frustrated and a lapse moment at the back allowed Neil Gordon space to ping a 20 yard drive just wide of Mark Stonestreet’s goal.  Mark Hulland was one of only a few bright sparks in the Bar OC’s first half performance and 22 yard volley on 24 minutes was turned away by Balchin. Hulland was provider on the half hour when his cross was killed by Powell for Paget to blast over.  Powell had a chance himself straight after when Darren Brown set him up but the striker’s shot drifted wide.  Balchin pulled off the save of the game on 35 minutes again to deny Hulland when he acrobatically tipped his 25-yard drive round for a corner.

Bar OC upped their game in the second period and their second goal came within a minute of the restart. John Stockman’s precision chip found Powell and although Balchin blocked the striker’s shot, he was helpless as Rob Drown hammered home the loose ball

The third came on the hour.  Stockman again found Drown and this time the mazy midfielder danced round three Rangers players before clipping his shot past Balchin.

Bar OC continued to dominate but stubborn defending from a gutsy Rangers side prevented the possession being turned into goals.  However, the fourth did come ten minutes from time when Mikey O’Donnell’s corner was headed back across the box by Dave Crawford to allow Duncan Biggin to head home from close range.

Not the most elegant of performances but the win was enough to keep Bar OC top of the table.

Sir Audley Arms 3  Bar OC 3 – 12 February 2006

Bleak, drizzle and a greasy surface were the order of play at Stanley Park as Sir Audley Arms hosted Bar OC.

 

The first game between these two was close fought and this encounter was no different.  Sir Audley adapted to the conditions quicker and it was they who posed the early threats.  On three minutes, Nick Gapper’s corner was met by Dave Nolan but was straight at Mark Stonestreet in the Bar OC goal.  Ten minutes later, the lively Luke Gullick pounced on a mix up between Danny Rawlings and Mikey O’Donnell but drilled his shot wide.  It was 20 minutes before Bar OC posed any threat and their first meaningful effort came when Tom Paget blasted a 20-yard drive over Steve Gee’s crossbar.  Gee also denied Paget when he gathered his header following O’Donnell’s freekick on the half hour.

 

With game becoming a midfield stalemate, it was no surprise that the game was opened up by a mistake or bad luck.  On 38 minutes, O’Donnell’s slip on the surface allowed Kieran Smith to poke the ball through.  Stonestreet was odds on favourite to gather the ball until he lost his footing and that was enough for Gullick to pounce and round the keeper and put Sir Audley 1-0 up.  The second came four minutes later.  Smith met gapper’s corner and although Stonestreet saved the header the ball hit Bar OC’s Luke Hunneyball and deflected in.

 

Its not been unusual for Bar OC to play better in the second half in recent weeks and this game was no different.  Bar OC pushed on in the second period and on 52 minutes Gapper tripped Rob Drown when the Bar OC midfielder was through on goal.  Paget calmly despatched the resulting penalty kick to make it 2-1.  For most of the game Danny Rawlings had kept Craig Manley in check but on the hour the Sir Audley wingback found a yard of space in the Bar OC penalty box.  Stonestreet was alert enough to block the close range shot.

 

New signing, Stuart Field had so far had an impressive debut for Sir Audley and on 66 minutes he had a chance to mark it with a goal following Gapper’s freekick.  Stonestreet again handling well from the defender’s header.  However, within a minute the home side made it 3-1.  Sam Leggbagg’s precision pass dissected the Bar OC defence and allowed Gullick to calmly beat the keeper.

 

Within four minutes Bar OC had reduced the deficit.  Field’s clearance was intercepted by Darren Brown and the midfielder-come-striker clinically fired home from 20 yards.  Bar OC were now taking control of the game and Paget’s cheeky chip from 30 yards had to be turned over by Gee.  Their equaliser came with 13 minutes left.  Mark Hulland dribbled with way into the box and with the visitors about to appeal for a penalty, the unlucky Field turned the ball into his own net.  Brown nearly won it with two minutes left when his 30 yard freekick rasped against the Sir Audley cross bar and bounced over.

 

 

Bar OC 4 North Star B 0 – 26 February 2006

 

Thick coats and scarves were the order of the day at a sub-Arctic Bromham where Bar OC hosted North Star B.

With last weeks four goal hero, Mark Dolman, called up to the A team it was always going to be difficult for North Star to continue their form of the last few weeks.  Bar OC dominated from the start but dogged defending from veterans Andy ‘Arthur’ Lowe and Pitcher thwarted the home sides efforts.  With the strong wind ruining the teams’ attempts to play football, the first half became a dour eventless affair.  Highlights were few and fair between and it was 19 minutes before Bar OC’s Mark Hulland distracted Star’s keeper Roy Wenham from his book. Three minutes later Pitcher made a great tackle to deny Hulland when his about to unleash on goal.

Star’s attacks were sporadic but Jamie Davis caused a moment’s unrest in the Bar OC defence when he nearly nipped in as Duncan Biggin shepherded the ball back to keeper Mark Stonestreet.  Stonestreet was alert enough to clear the danger.  The best move of the half came on 26 minutes.  Tom Evans’ deft touch freed John Stockman and Tom Paget met the midfielder’s weighted ball six yards out.  His shot tamely rolled into Wenham’s hands.

Bar OC finely wore down the resistance on 37 minutes.  With the ball bouncing around the Star penalty area, Wenham did enough to parry Paget’s header but couldn’t prevent Luke Enderby from bravely diving in between a pile of bodies to head home from close range.  Luke Hunneyball should have increased the lead six minutes later when Enderby released the wide man in space.  With the goal at his mercy, he sliced wide from ten yards.  The second came straight after and Enderby was again instrumental.  Pulling wide he drew the entire Star defence before switching play with a deft chip.  Stockman was left with time to sign postcards before drilling home from eight yards.

Rob Drown replaced Darren Brown at half time and Bar OC seemed a different side in the second period.  Hulland and Drown linked straight from the restart and after shrugging off Pitcher’s challenge, Hulland’s fired over from 20 yards.  Now using the ball better the home side threatened to add to their lead.  Wenham acted smartly to save Enderby’s 20-yard drive and did enough a minute later to tip Hulland’s chip onto the bar.

Dave Crawford has yet to open his account for Bar OC and on 57 minutes he would never have found a better chance.  Drown’s corner found the big centre half free at the back post but with the moment of glory flashing in front of him, he sliced his shot wide.  However, he was not to be denied and four minutes later, Biggin flicked on Mikey O’Donnell’s corner to allow the big man to head home to the cheers of the home fans.  Crawford now had the taste for goals and on 71 minutes he fired a 25-yard drive at Wenham.  Biggin then had an overhead kick headed off the line by Matt Cuttler, and Crawford hooked another O’Donnell corner wide with the goal gaping.

With time running out Wenham again denied Hulland when he turned his 25-yard curled effort onto the bar.  However, Bar OC capped a good second half when Drown robbed Jamie Davis with two minutes left and fired home from an acute angle.

 

Bar OC 2 Wheatsheaf 0 - 5 March 2006

Bar OC started brightly and deservedly took the lead against a physical Wheasheaf side on 27 minutes when Mark Hulland danced his way through the visitors' defence to curl his shot in off the post.  Bar pressed on and captain Duncan Biggin was denied a shortly before half time when his heawder of Mikey O'Donnell's corner had to be cleared off the line.  With Bar OC bossing the game, it seemed the visitors could only stay in the game by a series of shocking tackles and heroics from keeper Lee White.

Going into the second half, referee Adrian Hunt, was called into action to issue bookings to two Wheatsheaf players for overly physical challenges.  The danger to the visitors was coming down their left flank where Rob Drown and Danny Rawlings were linking well while on the left side Luke Hunneyball pushed Wheatsheaf's midfield back.

Despite wasting a similar good chance only a few minutes earlier, John Stockman atoned for his miss on 70 minutes by lashing home from eight yards.  Wheatsheaf pushed forward looking for a way back into the game and although Adam Taylor looked dangerous, he could not breakdown the home side's resolute defence and defiant keeper Mark Stonestreet.

Westbury Rangers B 2 Bar OC 1 – 19 March 2006

 

Westbury Rangers B entertained Bar OC at a windy and cold Meadow Lane, Westbury.

 

The home side were finally able to field one of their stronger sides this season and with the conditions becoming a leveller, Rangers were able to more than match the league leaders.  Rangers were undoubtedly quicker out of the blocks and it was surprise that Bar OC had the first shot on goal.  On ten minutes, Mark Hulland teed up Danny Powell but the strikers snap shot flew wide.  Rangers promptly retaliated.  Nick Mead was left in acres of space and his first time drive whistled over Mark Stonestreet’s crossbar. 

 

Bar’s John Stockman beat two men and his cross met by Luke Enderby but the younger striker’s shot from six yards was over.  Chances were few and far between but the best move of the half came on 17 minutes when Rangers’ Sam Gooding’s deep cross was met Neil Gordon’s head.  Stonestreet having to be at his best to push it round for a corner.

 

Rangers, superbly led by Matt Gardiner and Gooding, continued to stifle the Bar OC midfield and prevent them creating any chances.  Hulland did sniff half an opening on 24 minutes but again the shot was off target.  Dave Bateman’s surging carved open the Bar OC defence and his cross found Mead in space.  The winger’s shot headed away by Mikey O’Donnell.  From the resulting corner Bateman clipped over from close range.

 

The lead did come on 34 minutes in rather controversial fashion.  With the visitors appealing for a freekick on the edge of the Rangers penalty box, the ball was swept up the other end and a rather soft freekick awarded for Tom Paget’s tackle on Gooding.  Gardiner’s freekick wickedly deflected of the Bar OC wall and beyond Stonestreet.

 

Gooding should have put the home side further ahead on 30 minutes when he pounced on a slip by O’Donnell.  However, Stonestreet again did brilliantly to block the close range effort.  Andrew Webster’s brief return to the UK allowed him to make an appearance for Bar OC and coming off of the bench in the second half, he equalised with his first shot.  Again a rather soft freekick was awarded, this time for a foul on Rob Drown.  Webster’s freekick struck a Rangers defender and left Lewis Porter helpless.  For the first time in the game the visitors started to dominate and Rangers were forced to defend bravely.  However, a mix up in the Bar OC midfield on the hour allowed Dale Rowlands to run 70 yards, play a one-two with Bateman and drill home Rangers’ second. 

 

Bar threw everything at Rangers and although Porter had to save brilliantly from Drown and Paget’s mishit cross clipped the top of the bar, they could not break down a dogged home side.

 

Bar OC 6 Corsham Park Rangers 0 – 2 April 2006

 

Bar OC bounced back from a poor performance last time out with an emphatic win against Corsham Park Rangers at Bromham.

 

With the visitors let down by the non-appearance of several of their key players, Bar OC dominated from the start.  However, it was 13 minutes before they threatened the Corsham goal.  Mikey O’Donnell’s corner was knocked back by Dave Crawford and John Stockman’s header flashed wide.  Soon after Luke Hunneyball set up the lively Stockman but when a pull back would have undoubtedly let Danny Powell score, his strike partner fired wide. Within a minute Luke McFarlane came to Corsham’s rescue when he smartly beat aside Rob Drown’s close range drive.

 

Corsham’s attacks were sporadic but Clive Parsons’ 25-yard free kick had to turned round by Mark Stonestreet on 25 minutes. Within a minute the same player saved Corsham with a fantastic tackle just as Stockman was about to fire home.  The busy Kevin Hodgkinson kept Stonestreet alert on 37 minutes but the midfielder’s 25-yard volley dipped over the bar.

 

Bar finally broke down the stubborn resistance two minutes later.  Stockman’s clever flick to Drown allowed the charismatic midfielder to clip the ball back to Tom Paget to hook home.  Danny Powell was a constant handful for Corsham’s defence and his delicate touch set up Hunneyball who fired wide from 15 yards.

 

Bar OC extended their lead straight after the break.  Drown was bundled over by Kevin Streeter and O’Donnell scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot.  Parsons fired another freekick over Stonestreet’s cross bar as Corsham tried to claw their way back into the game.  Once again, Parsons came to the visitors rescue when he bravely blocked Darren Brown’s shot after he had rounded the keeper.

 

McFarlane held Powell’s 25-yard volley on 54 minutes and smartly tipped over Crawford’s header on the hour as Bar OC stepped up a gear.  However, the home side got their third on 70 minutes when Danny Rawlings and Luke Enderby linked.  Although McFarlane parried the initial shot he was helpless as Powell swept home from close range.  The fourth came within four minutes.  Powell unleashed Drown who calmly lobbed McFarlane from the edge of the box.

 

With time running out Bar OC increased the winning margin.  Enderby released Tom Evans whose finish was out of the top drawer.  With virtually the last kick of the game Powell beat two Corsham defenders before firing an unstoppable drive past McFarlane from 22 yards.

 

 

Bar OC 1 Fascia Graphics 1 – 9 April 2006

Fascia Graphics responded positively to their midweek defeat at Rowde by gaining a hard earned point at Bar OC.

The home side started brightly and dominated the early exchanges.  On seven minutes Mikey O’Donnell’s corner was hooked goalwards by Luke Enderby but the ball scrambled off the line.  On 19 minutes Tom Paget’s long ball eluded Fascia’s Andrew Palmer but goalkeeper Anthony Barber was alert enough to deny John Stockman.   Immediately Fascia countered, Mark Smith somehow shrugged off Danny Rawlings but his chip was over the bar.

Fascia slowly gained a foothold in the game.  In the 23^rd minute, Smith’s curled freekick was met by Marcus Lovesey but deflected wide for a corner.  Two minutes later, confusion in the Bar OC backline allowed Steve Allison a chance to run on goal but under pressure from Luke Hunneyball he shot wide.  Bar OC continued to take the game to the visitors and on 30 minutes, Stockman’s cross was headed over by Rob Drown.  Mark Hulland then tested Barber’s injured fingers with a 25-yard strike as Bar OC sought the crucial first goal.  Stockman’s lofted cross was met by Enderby but again Barber showed good hands by holding the striker’s header.

Fascia’s attempts on goal were sporadic but a misjudgement allowed Allison a half chance.  The burly striker’s shot was well gathered by Mark Stonestreet.  At the other end, Paget rasped a 30-yard volley over Barber’s crossbar.  With Drown off injured Fascia pounced on the man advantage right on halftime.  Smith’s 25-yard freekick somehow eluded the incoming rush of bodies and sneaked into the Bar OC net.

The home side took the game to the visitors in the second period but were met by the solid defensive line well marshalled by Craig Lovesey.  On 63 minutes, Paget and Enderby exchanged passes and Enderby’s resulting shot flew wide.  However, the deserved equaliser came four minutes later in controversial fashion.  With Bar OC thinking they had a penalty, a freekick was awarded right on the edge of the box.  As Fascia’s defensive lined up, O’Donnell curled the kick home off of the cross bar.

With Smith being frustrated by the shadowing of Rawlings and Allison becoming isolated, Fascia’s defence and midfield came under constant pressure.  However, they held strong and despite half chances falling to Gerry Thompson and Hulland in the last ten minutes, the league leaders ground out an important point.

Fascia Graphics 0 Bar OC 3 – 30 April 2006

The Division Three title race took another intriguing twist today at Fascia Graphics’ Meriton Avenue pitch.

Fascia had struggled in recent weeks and with the wheels threatening to fall, off their season, they knew that a result against fellow promotion hopefuls, Bar OC, was crucial.  There was little goalmouth action in the opening twenty minutes.  The closest opportunity came on eleven minutes when Bar’s Danny Powell flicked on to set Rob Drown free on goal.  As the midfielder was about to shoot, Paul Harvey made a timely tackle.  Drown then gave Luke Hunneyball a half chance but his shot was comfortably gathered by Anthony Barber.

Fascia’s first attempt came on 37 minutes when Steve Allison pounced on an under hit back pass from Danny Rawlings.  The big striker’s chip drifted wide of Mark Stonestreet’s goal. Two minutes later Bar’s Darren Brown cracked a 35-yard volley wide.  Bar’s midfield were by now starting to gain the upper hand and Drown and Rawlings linked well on 34 minutes.  Rawlings’ cross was palmed away by Barber before Luke Enderby could pounce.

However, the opening goal came a minute later.  Drown was adjudged to have been pushed by Craig Lovesey, and Mikey O’Donnell steeped up to calmly slot the ensuring spot kick home. With four minutes left in the half, Mark Smith’s corner eluded the Bar defence and Harvey arriving late at the back post could only deflect his header wide.

Straight from the restart, Darren Brown should have extended Bar’s lead when Barber dropped Enderby’s shot but the midfielder inexplicably shot wide from close range.  At the other end, Allison blasted a 20-yard freekick over Stonestreet’s goal as fascia tried to claw their way back into the game. After 65 minutes, Mike Cassidy rasped a 30-yard drive straight at Stonestreet. 

Going into the last quarter, Bar pushed on looking to extend their lead. O’Donnell’s corner was met first time by centre half Duncan Biggin but his close range effort was the wrong side of the post.  The game was killed off in the last ten minutes.  On 81 minutes Tom Paget’s header caught the Fascia back four flat footed, and Powell skipped round Barber to tap into an empty net.  Three minutes later, a mirror image third goal was scored.  This time Lovesey and Barber both hesitated and Powell again rounded the keeper to score.

Paget could have scored Bar’s fourth in the dying seconds when his header looked destined to drift into the top corner until teammate Dave Crawford the ball over.  Bar took the points and go into their final game still with an outside chance of the title.

 

Bar OC 11 Pack Horse Rangers 0 – 7 May 2006

Bar OC finished their season against Pack Horse Rangers knowing that only an emphatic victory would be enough to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The return of Andrew Webster paid immediate dividends when he latched onto Mikey O’Donnell’s long ball to clip past Del Llewellyn after 31 seconds.  Bar’s second on five minutes.  Webster flicked John Stockman’s long throw on and Andy Stonestreet calmly controlled and fired into the bottom corner.  On 14 minutes, it was three as Duncan Biggin’s left foot cross was clinically despatched first time by Stonestreet.  Webster then clipped a ball into Tom Evans but Llewellyn smartly saved his shot.

Pack Horse immediately changed their formation and for brief spell started to get back into the game.  Sean Rushmoore’s corner was only partially cleared and Glyn Pascoe was unlucky to see his hooked shot fly just over Mark Stonestreet’s crossbar.  On 26 minutes Bar effectively killed the game.  O’Donnell’s corner was mishit by Webster straight to Biggin who scuffed hit home from close range.  The fifth came on 30 minutes.  Evans linked well with Stonestreet and his pinpoint cross was gleefully headed home by Webster.

O’Donnell then stroked home a penalty after a foul on Evans and on 39 minutes, Tom Paget drilled home Rob Drown’s squared ball to make it 7-0.  Pack Horse nearly clawed a goal straight after when Rushmoore’s freekick was diverted away just before Phil Clark got on the end of it.  Bar OC capped a superb first half performance just before the break when Webster met Darren Brown’s 40-yard ball first time to complete his hat trick.

Straight after half time Paget was denied by a great save from Llewellyn.  On 51 minutes, Bar OC were awarded another penalty when Evans and a Pack Horse defender collided under a bouncing ball.  It was perhaps only justice when O’Donnell’s penalty struck the post.  Bar made in nine on 57 minutes when Paget’s cross-field bar was sweetly clipped over Llewellyn by Stockman.  Sadly, this was Paget’s last contribution as five minutes later the midfielder was taken to hospital with a possible broken leg after a freak accident in the Pack Horse penalty area.

Webster was in devastating form and after the restart he thumped a header from Luke Hunneyball’s cross onto the crossbar.  However, the striker claimed his fourth and Bar’s tenth two minutes when rose above the Pack Horse defence to head home O’Donnell’s freekick.  There was still time for goalkeeper Mark Stonestreet to blast home a penalty for Bar OC’s eleventh goal following a foul on Evans and Drown then hit the post from 20 yards.  Evans’ workrate deserved a goal but twice Llewellyn denied him in the dying minutes.