Thursday 17th February '05

WBA 3-2 Phoenix Knights

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This was the one everyone had been waiting for. The return leg after the last match finished in a 2-2 draw. Fortunately this time around high wind didn't come into play, but I'm sure the Phoenix keeper Chris Ross will be wishing he had something to blame on the night. As both teams knew a lot was at stake, a win for Phoenix would surely see them lift the Championship, yet a win for the mighty WBA would see the gap between these top two teams narrowed to just 2 points.

After a tight start the first real chance of the game was taken well by Jamie Cat after some crisp passing left the WBA defence in disarray and Stokes and Aspy still up field! (0-1).

Phoenix Knights kept the pressure up too, really wanting to make amends of the 2-2 draw from the teams previous meetings.

However it would be the one and only James Rawlinson who was next to strike hitting a vierce strike low and hard into the bottom corner of the Knights goal from a very acute angle, (1-1).

The next chance fell to a wondering Dewhirst who hit a clean strike first time only to find the woodwork.

Not long after WBA found themselves in the lead when a chance shot by Jake Goldie (from within his own half) found its way under C (Dudek) Ross in goal (2-1). With more pressure building from both teams Phoenix then managed to pinch a goal back when the ball was struck low and hard against the back board by Towny, only to bounce straight back out to Paul Crog to hammer home first time, (2-2).

The game was coming to a close and tackles were flying in left, right and centre. Dean Copping bearing the brunt of these nasty challenges.

With 5 minutes left the unthinkable happened, another shot by Goldie rebounded off the back boards and against the Phoenix goalkeepers back to creep in goal. For the fans it was in slow motion, for the players even slower!! (3-2).

With just 5 minutes left on the clock WBA played the waiting game passing the ball around and nearly creating more chances, but the full time whistle went with cheers from both players and fans. The title race was now truly on!!

Man of the Match: Sorry Rossy pal but the lads say you deserve it!

Other games: Red Star ended Walsden Wolves winning streak with a 3-1 victory.

Thursday 10th February '05
WBA 2-0 Red Star

WBA showed great Bouncebackability last night after last weeks 6-4 defeat at the hands of local rivals, 'Walsden Marauders'. WBA really needed a good performance to remain in hot pursuit of the league leaders Phoenix Knights, and with a 2-0 win over last years double winners, Red Star, that's just what the lads got. Sporting the new WBA kit, for the only the second time, the lads were hoping for a good result, to effectively christen the new strip. The match kicked off with WBA holding a very strong grip on play early on, enjoying most of the possession in the first 6 or 7 minutes. However chances were hard to come by and the lads knew they were in for a tough match. With about half the game gone neither side had really had a good chance on goal, mainly due to some sturdy defending from both sides, especially Dewy for the WBA, back to his usual 'Rocklike' self. A good spell for Red Star came, but after last weeks dismal performance WBA rose to the challenge with The Cat back at his best and being called into action a couple of times, not to mention taking one for the team, (right in the Jacobs! Ouch!) With Red Star still retaining possession well, with some good, controlled passing, it took some good hassling by both Goldie and Rawly before the first break of the game came to Stokes for him to hit it low and hard past Claxton, 1-0. With 6 minutes left on the clock WBA didn't want to suffer the same set back they had in the previous week after going a goal up, and the concentration of the players was there for all to see.
With the goal behind them WBA still pushed forward and looked the most likely team to score, only to be denied by an outstanding double save by Claxton in the Red Star net, denying both Rawly and Goldie. However, it was the WBA hitman himself who struck again moments later. Another goal for Stokes, 2-0. With the clock running down Red Star were scrambling around the pitch desperate to pull a goal back, but some resilient defending by both Copping and Stokes left the Red Star attack with nowhere to go. The final whistle was met with warm smiles all around for WBA, the title race was most certainly still on!

Man of the Match - Who else, the Hitman himself - Ross Stokes, for his 2 well taken goals that sealed the 3 points. WBA now look forward to the upcoming match against Walsden Wolves, which could prove to be a vital game for both teams in their hunt for Silverware.
Other games:  

Phoenix Knights won 7-1 against GBT

Walsden Wolves 6-3 against Walsden Marauders

Thursday 3rd February 2005

WBA 4 - 6 Walsden Marauders

Usually, in massive games such as Liverpool vs Man United the pre match build up is better and more exciting than the actual game! However when Walsden Barmy Army and Walsden Marauders met on a cold Thursday in January it was quite different!
With last year's encounter arguably producing the game of the season, as the crowds gathered to become the highest attendance game in the Thursday night league history we knew that we had a game on our hands, between two of the biggest teams in the league.
Although WBA were missing top scorer Ross Stokes the quality of their squad still allowed them to field a strong side against a starting line up of teenagers!
The game started with a high tempo and the young Marauders were feeling the challenges! Just 3 minutes into the game and the 1st goal arrived! Barnes was pursuing Dewhirst on the left when he hit what looked to be a safe shot with the outside of his boot! However, in jerzy dudek style the ball slipped through keeper Donnelans gloves and WBA were 1-0 up! But WM were unshaken, they ran back down the turf and equalised as Saxon squeezed the ball past the 'CAT' Marrow! 1-1. WBA were shocked and it showed as Saxon hit a thunderbolt of which Maz had no chance minutes later! Then a moment of madness took place when an 8-man brawl happened in the corner, which saw Andy 'The HAMMER' Rolph seeing red as well as Danny Aspinall, both picked up a game ban!
When the game got back underway WBA's sleepy defence was breached again as Saxon nipped in behind to make it 3-1 and complete a magnificent hat-trick! WBA were losing their heads, which was plain to see when the usually calm Copping made an erratic clearance straight to Saxon who laid off Earnshaw for 4-1! But WBA rallied and pulled two back through captain Dewhirst and Rawlinson!4-3!As WBA were pilling on the pressure WM hit them on the break and the cultured Leech fired home with his left boot! 5-3! WBA then won a penalty when Saxon ran through the area, a fired up Rawlinson took the spot kick but Donnelan managed to save it with his ankles! Rawlinson redeemed himself soon after as he burst through to slot home and make it 5-4! Now, people would expect the inexperienced side to buckle under the pressure but there was no sign of this! Especially when Barnes and Crabtree linked up with Barnes skipping around Copping and Dewhirst then making a neat finish that ultimately put the game beyond WBA's reach! after that WM had the coolness to simply pass the ball around WBA! The final whistle went and hands were shaken, although they had lost, WBA knew they had been involved in a great game!
Jonathon Barnes later described it as the greatest game he had ever seen on the astro-turf, and I cannot argue with him, and I don't think anyone else can!

Thursday 6^th January 2005

WBA 2-2 Phoenix Knights

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Goal Scorers:

WBA - R Stokes 2

Phoenix Knights – M Town 1 J Brown 1

Last night saw the most anticipated game of the season take place at the Todmorden 5-a-side football pitch. Top of the league Phoenix Knights, who were yet to drop any points in the league, against WBA last years 1^st Division Champions and currently second place in the Premier League.

This match was set to be an exceptional game of football, and as the crowds gathered, as they often do for the big games, Kev Brough got the game underway.

Both teams defensively abilities we’re the first to shine in the game with the first 5 minutes consisting mainly of sturdy defence with some quality passing on show.

Phoenix had some good early chances with the WBA keeper, Chris Marrow, tested a couple of times. Not to mention Swoz missing an open goal and hitting the crossbar!

However it was WBA who struck first with a good spell of pressure followed by a cool finish from WBA’s main hitman Ross Stokes. (1-0 - 8mins).

Things got even better for the Walsden boys 4 minutes later with an easy tap in for Stokesy to slide pass stranded Rossy in the Knights goal. This met by chants of “Walsden’s Barmy Army, by the travelling fans”. (2-0 - 12mins).

After going 2-0 down Jonny Brown became his usual animated self, with confrontations with both Stevie Barker and James Rawlinson for WBA. As well as Rawly spouting his usual taunts, with a gesture of opening his pocket, suggesting Jonny was fitting in it quite nicely.

Due to severe wind on the pitch referee Kev Brough introduced a change of ends for both teams, just to even up any advantage WBA may have had with the wind behind them.

After the change of ends Phoenix Knights began to build pressure on WBA defence in search of a goal. Fortunately WBA where able to retain the ball with an excellent performance from Stevie Barker, holding the ball up against players twice his side. As well as Stokesy’s probing runs and Goldie’s, testing through balls for the Knights defence to cope with.

WBA enjoyed a good spell of possession with some testing shots for Rossy to deal with. However the Knights came back into the game with a goal from Towny, coolly slotted past Marrow in goal. (2-1 - 18mins).

WBA’s attempt to regroup and hold that failed after a good spell of pressure from a team who have won the Premier League before. Minutes later the ball run across the WBA area and back out to Jonny Brown who disappointingly beat keeper Marrow at his near post. (2-2 - 22mins).

In the final minutes of the game tackles were flying in all over the pitch with play stopping for slides from both Dewy and Swoz. The full time whistle went moments later with handshakes all around.

Overall a solid performance from both sides, but WBA will be disappointed not to win after their early two-goal lead.

Other important matches of the night saw Walsden Marauders beat GBT, Walsden Wolves hammering Claret 5 and the all important one for WBA, third place Red Starr drawing 2-2 with our running buddies the Clik, well done boys, and well done to Seb Fontayne for his excellent equaliser in the dying minutes of the game.

Thursday 16^th December 2004

WBA 9 – 3 GBT

Goal Scorers –

Stevo Barker 1, Dewy 1, Rawly 2, Aspy 2, Stokesy 3

WBA go into the winter break off the back of a comprehensive victory over GBT. Now placed 2nd in the table and the points gap narrowed down to 5 points the last three games to play will be crucial for both WBA and Phoenix Nights, one of those games being a top of the table clash between the two sides.

Last nights game was a strong display by WBA despite missing key players in Dean Copping, and Jake Goldie. First of all I’d like to wish Deano a speedy recovery and hope he is fighting fit again in the New Year.

Young, Stevo Barker, bossed the GBT men up front with some intelligent and strong play throughout the game, also picking up a goal for himself.

Ross Stokes bagged his second hatrick in three games, on top of his clean sheet he keeps telling me about in my absence last week.

Chris Dewhirst had another strong game at the back with wayward passes in the early minutes of the game, leading us to believe his unfortunate run has come to an end. Dewy also managed to sneak on the score sheet with a nice ball laid back from Stokesy for Dewy to calmly finish.

James Rawly had a powerful game, being one of the main runners for WBA. One of his best games so far this season for me, picked up 2 good goals and didn’t give away to many free kicks! Well-done Rawly.

Danny Asp also picked up a couple of goals for WBA, as well as his usual brilliant vision on the ball.

Cat turned Kitten last night conceding 3 goals, which I’m sure he is disappointed about after his solid first half off the season in goal. Having now conceded 7 in two games I’m sure he will want to get back to full form for the top of the table clash in January. He did however managed to claim 2 assists last night with one being an accurate throw down the middle of the park for Aspinall to hit first time with no control required. So maybe that might keep Stokes out of the bags for now!

Other games last night saw Phoenix Nights retain their maximum points from every game so far this season, even though all four of their goals came in the last 6 minutes against Claret 5, Final Score 4-0.

Red Starr fell victim to the combination of youth and experience, going down 6-2 against Walsden Marauders. This being a fantastic result against an experienced side in the 5 a side league. A special mention to Saxon who picked up a couple of goals, Andy Rolph who was back, firing on all cylinders and Jamie ‘Buffon’ who had a fantastic game in the Marauders goal. I’m sure they are looking forward to getting their teeth into WBA in the New Year.

Thursday 9^th December 04

WBA 1-0 Top Bombers

Goal Scorers –

Danny Asp (Ex Top Bombers player now playing for the better team!)

I’m afraid I can’t provide a match report for this game as I was in bed with Flu at the time but from what I have been told, Danny Brown was megged by former team-mate Danny Asp for the winner in this match. Not to mention Dewy’s excellent display at the back for WBA, with Dave Fowler still struggling to get out of Dewy’s very big pocket. Oh and a special mention to Stokesy who kindly filled in for me in the WBA goal, and managing a few tremendous saves to give as a clean sheet.

Thursday 25^th November 04

WBA 4-4 Kris Marshall’s

Goal Scorers –

Stokesy 3, 

WBA slipped in the title race, only managing a draw against Rock Bottom of the league Marshall’s. However a point was kindly looked upon with WBA trailing 4-2 with 3 minutes left to play in the game before Stokesy managed a last minute equaliser with a through the leg back heel which bounced kindly into the bottom corner of the Marshall’s goal.

WBA struggled within a minute played with Dewhirst trying to hit a first time pass to Rawlinson, which turned into a miss kick to put Kris Marshall in for his first of the game.

So having only claimed 1 point from the game WBA sit 3^rd in the table with Phoenix Nights still yet to drop any points from their matches and Red Starr sitting just above WBA in second place. Hopefully the lads can pull it back with a difficult game against last year’s title rivals, Top Bombers.

Thursday 18^th November

W.B.A. 7 – 1 Claret Five

Goal Scorers: Rawly 3, Caveman 3, Jake 1

With Ross Stokes out of action for this game W.B.A. drafted in Stevie ‘Caveman’ Barker, in hope he could inflict some damage on an opposition who were no strangers to Premier League football.

The game started off the worst possible way for our boys going 0-1 down inside 5 minutes with an uncharacteristic mistake by Dewhirst at the back, to leave one of the Claret 5 strikers clean through against the Cat in the W.B.A. goals, unfortunately this time he was beaten.

Going one goal down brought the first change of the game for W.B.A, with Caveman getting his league debut. What a debut that turned out to be.

Just over 10 minutes into the game the break came for W.B.A. with the ball falling to Caveman Barker for him to simply slot home. 1-1.

As the game turned to 1-1, W.B.A. acquired a much-needed boost with the arrival of Danny Aspinall, fresh off his driving lesson.

With Aspy coming on the build up play really lifted with some creative play from all on the W.B.A.’s team. Typically the ball pop out to Rawlinson, (currently top goal scorer for W.B.A.), allowing him to finish calmly. 2-1

With the second goal for W.B.A. the floodgates seemed to open, with Claret Five’s goal being peppered with shots.

A further 2 goals for Caveman brought up his hatrick, (Wayne Rooney eat your heart out), but it wasn’t to be the only hatrick of the night, with Rawly scoring a sublime goal for his second and capping his night with a third. Late doors Jakey managed to put the final nail in the Claret Five coffin and sealing another 3 points for the W.B.A.

In other games Walsden Wolves managed a 2-2 draw against Red Star, while Swoz’s Phoenix Knights continued their winning streak, beating Walsden Marauders 4-2 making that four wins in four games, and keeping them firmly top of the league.

Thursday 11^th November 2004

Note: The two leagues on the astro-turf have now been combined into one due to some teams dropping out in the early stages of the season. Each team will now play each other once.

W.B.A. 3 – 0 The Clik

Goals Scorer: R. Stokes 1 J Rawlinson 2

Last night saw the two old rivals of Walsden and Todmorden go head to head and compete once more. With a vital 3 league points on the line, this game was set to be tight, and it turned out to be a lot closer game than the score line suggests.

The game started with W.B.A. enjoying a lot of possession, however some resolute defending by The Clik made it extremely difficult for W.B.A. to break them down.

A tactical change with Mark Gabb in goal for The Clik, instead of the usual keeper Mark Price, proved to be an excellent decision by their manager ‘Daz’, pulling off some spectacular saves which infuriated the W.B.A. front men.

Chances came for W.B.A. and The Clik but with both keepers in top form goals were certainly going to be hard to come by.

The deadlock was finally broken with a typical left foot drive into the bottom corner of the goal by W.B.A.’s very own Rawlinson. Very similar to the goal which but W.B.A. 1-0 in the top of the table clash against Top Bombers last season.

With the 1-0 lead W.B.A. were seeking, the main aim became containment and keeping of the ball. Which proved successful, with The Clik forced to chase the game.

With pressure building, from The Clik throwing men forward, W.B.A. managed to slip in a second goal from some great passing to Ross Stokes who had found himself unmarked and in space to slot the ball home. 2-0.

With the 2-goal lead the 3 points were almost certain now, and with time ticking away The Clik became more desperate to get a goal back. Unfortunately for them, trickery from both of The Clik’s front men, Seb and Tyson, the W.B.A. net could not be broken.

With the last kick of the game came another goal for Rawlinson, bagging his second of the night and sealing The Clik’s fate.

So 6 points from 3 games, a good start to the season for the Walsden boys, and W.B.A.’s second clean sheet as well. Lets hope we can maintain this form throughout the squad for the rest of the season.

Thursday 4th November 2004

W.B.A. 1 - 2 Red Star

Goal Scorer: R. Stokes

W.B.A. met stiff opposition in their second game of the season last night, eventually losing 2-1 to last years double winners 'Red Star'. With hopes being high from last weeks win the lads went into the game with lots of confidence.

The game started as expected, action packed and fully fuelled. With early chances falling to both teams. With both keepers being asked questions of. The deadlock was broken in then 10th minute of the game with a string of one-two passes being put together and the ball being well placed in the bottom corner of 'The Cats' goal.

After going 1-0 down early in the game W.B.A. tried to regroup and push on for that equaliser, nearly succeeding a number of times. Unfortunately for W.B.A. the Red Star keeper was going to be tough to beat all night.

W.B.A. shared possession well with Red Star throughout the game, but the current Champions managed to get that vital second goal to almost secure the 3 points.

After going 2-0 up Red Star began to sit on their lead, much as W.B.A. had the previous week. Both sides enjoyed excellent chances in the later stages of the game. With only outstanding saves from the Red Star goalie to keep W.B.A. off the score sheet, however it was Ross Stokes who managed to break through for us and give us.

With this goal hope was rekindled, could W.B.A. get back into the game and claim a valuable point? Unfortunately this turned out to be no more than a consolation goal as the ball went back the to kick off again, with Referee Kevin Brough blowing up for full time.

Overall not a bad performance from our boys, just beat by a couple of casual errors at the back and some suburb keeping at the other end from the Red Star goalie who kept our goal scorers at bay all night.

So W.B.A. face defeat for only the second time, in a Tod Astro-turf league match in two seasons. Hopefully the boys can bounce back from this result and get back to winning ways next week. One thing is for sure however; this will be a testing season for the Barmy Army boys.

Thursday 28th October 2004

W.B.A. 1 - 0 Walsden Wolves

Scorer: Dean Copping

The battle of Walsden took place for the first time in a Premier League clash at Tod Astro-turf last night, and right from the start all involved new this game would be fiercely fought for the prize of three valuable points in the first game of the new season, and not to mention local bragging rights. With W.B.A. being the new boys in the Premier League they were looking to claim there first big scalp, and that they did.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides enjoying equal possession. Early chances fell to both sides, and W.B.A. keeper / manager Chris Marrow was forced to make a reaction save from Gaz Barnes riffling shot that was put up and over the cross bar.

Tackles came in thick and fast with Dewhirst being warned for sliding and the Wolves Hudson putting himself about as usual.

A number of chances fell for W.B.A. from Jake, Stokes Aspy and Rawly, stop only by some fantastic saves from veteran Astro-turf keeper, Walsden Wolves very own Alan. The break through finally came with some great build up play and a very cool finish from Deano 'Length' Copping.

With this one goal advantage W.B.A. took hold of the game, enjoying a good 10 minutes of possession. However chances from both Jon Barnes and Ben Hudson couldn't get past the W.B.A. rock in the heart of the defence, Mr Chris Dewhirst.

With the time ticking down and W.B.A. with a free kick the lads switch off for a brief moment, which is always a danger against such an experienced side. With possession being lost Walsden Wolves broke in force, and with the ball at the feet of the deadly finisher Gaz Barnes, it took a fantastic save from Chris 'The Cat' Marrow to once again turn the ball around the post and prevent what looked like the Wolves best chance of levelling the game.

So with 3 points in the bag after W.B.A.'s Premier League debut, the boys where all left with smiles on their faces. When asked about the game James Rawlinson had this to say Huddy ya just weren't fast enough".