The Coquitlam Metro-Ford Barça '96 boys started the new year off going 1 and 1 to start the new year. The results saw the best of U14 soccer and the worst with Barça displaying grit and determination in the face of adversity and injury.
Due to the snow and cold weather, Barça struggled to get training times, let alone game times as the first game back from the Christmas Break, versus Chilliwack Impact, had to be postponed due to the 10 inches of snow that covered Charles Best, Barça's home field.
While other areas in the Lower Mainland weren't hit so severe, Coquitlam, 4 weeks later still has snow covering most of the playing fields including Charles Best.
Things were much different in Ladner, the venue for Barça's next game, where the home team had the luxury of having outdoor sessions and 1 exhibition and 1 league game under their belt going into the tilt with Barça.
The boys went out for soccer match but found themselves in the midst of a rugby match. With poor refereeing and despicable tactics, Ladner was given the freedom to knock down, kick, push and intimidate the younger Barça team who was the only team on the field that was trying to play the game the way it's suppose to be played. One of the Ladner club coaches came across shaking his head in disgust and virtually apologized for his club teams tactics - tactics that the Barça boys will have to get use to down the last stretch of the season.
Barça also struggled with injuries (Anthony McKave) and suspensions (Marcello Polisi) and needed to delve into the reserves and call up Jacob Powell and Ola Ajibike from the U13 CMF Euro '97.
With little outdoor training and no pre-exhibition games, Barça struggled to find their rhythm through all the hostilities and gave up a goal on a set piece where the backline was pushed into the net on the corner. The rugby match ended one try to nothing (1-0).
Barça's next opponent was the North Shore Selects and not interested in going 0 and 2, Barça came out swinging. Still relying on under-underaged call ups due to injury (Krsto Lulic now on the injury list) and family matters (Ajibike and David Norman - playing three years up!), Barça made their intentions felt early as pressure resulted in two very good chances when Rashaun Rivers missed on a breakaway and call-up Ajibike missed from point blank range.
Michael Mobilio and Paul Serres were menaces out on the field as their tireless running and scrapping for every ball allowed the other Barça forwards the time and space to get chances. In midfield Polisi, back from suspension, moved the ball extremely efficiently allowing the 3-man midfield of Polisi, Giordano Baldonero and Kyle Jones to boss the midfield. At the back, captain Trevor Hallam, James Lynn, Anthony Martin, Matteo Gallaccio and David Norman didn't allow a shot as keeper Jake Sundar recorded his 6th shutout of the season.
The second half finally saw Barça get the break though they deserved when Baldonero threaded a through ball to Rashaun Rivers who neatly slotted the ball on a semi breakaway. Barça then made it 2 when Jones full volleyed a flicked on header from Rivers into the top corner to make the game safe. Baldonero almost made it 3 but the North Shore goalie made a spectacular save to keep the game within reason.
Barça now stay in 5th spot and close in to within one point of Richmond Selects for 4th place in the league.
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