Wyvern Men’s (1st) vs Barleycorn (2nd)
City of Southampton, Sunday League, Div 8
Sunday 26th September

Wyvern Men’s win epic battle for the top spot!

Following a very successful preseason and an excellent opening to the campaign, the men’s side were currently on a run of 3 successful league wins on the trot and holding the top spot. In second place with a game in hand was Barleycorn. We knew this was a must win game, but had momentum on our side.

The first half started very quickly seeing a Jordi Curtis shot tipped over the ball in the early minutes. The resulting corner was nodded in by the under-pressure opposition defender. Ten minutes later and Jordi Curtis was presented an opportunity in front of goal, calmly slotting it past the keeper. The half began to settle, but not without plenty of fiery altercations between both sides. Both of Barleycorns centre backs had now found their way into the referee’s book. Nearing half time Lewis Gilpin squares it to Jordi, who smashes it past the keeper. Barleycorn finish the half with one final corner, which results in a shot rebounding off the post, before being cleared out the box by Ben Ward. The clearance lands to the opposition outside the box and the whistle sounds for half time… simultaneously their midfielder hits a rocket, rooting Luis Dunford on the goal line. The referee sticks to his decision of half time. No goal.

Half Time: Wyvern FC 3 – 0 Barleycorn

The second half doesn’t start favourably for Wyvern, as Barleycorn apply early pressure. Dispossession from a Wyvern set piece leads to a Barleycorn forward beating the Wyvern keeper in a one-on-one. This a closely followed by a long throw, which leads a communication error at the back with the Barleycorn full back managing to beat the Keeper also. The character this Wyvern side has second to none and that shone through here with the lads keeping their heads up and working on despite a tough restart. Jordi Curtis puts a shift in up top winning the ball back and backheeling it to Jason Page who blasts it across the keeper restoring a two-goal cushion. Wyvern manage to make it five, as following multiple passes in the Barleycorn box, Jarred Parker calmly passes the ball into the keepers far post.

Full Time: Wyvern FC 5 – 2 Barleycorn

Wyvern are now on 12 points from four games and the prospects of this season continue to grow. They now face KRL on 3rd October at the Lapstone 10am. KRL are now in second, so another top of the table fixture for a second week running.