NSW Bar Football Club Match Report

10/08/2023

It is always a hard battle when counsel meet bankers, whether in the courtroom or on the football pitch. Today’s match between Bar FC and BNP Paribas was no exception.

As is the norm, Coutinho led the way, in attack and defence, supported by the ever-reliable Rogers. Today saw the welcome return of Hartford Davis to his central attacking position, and he, too, with Coutinho and Rogers, made continued raids on the Parisian goals. Both of Ionita and Sivanathan provided regular service in mid-field against a strong BNP. Connolly, attacking on the right wing, aimed a cannonball at the Parisian goals, tragically going just wide of goal.

The heart of Bar FC in 2023 has been its defence and today saw that defensive unit at work. The saves of Harris are now the stuff of legend. Both of D’Arville and Munro were mobile in defence, and, yet again, stopped several BNP attempts on goal. Griscti was dogged in his efforts to frustrate, while Christofis perfected the offside trap that, against a team of bankers, should see her heading up the financial regulator of her choice.

Even so, despite a furious tussle in mid-field, half-time saw Bar FC behind 1-0.

The second half began with further attack by Bar FC. Repeated sorties against the BNP goal were fruitless, despite the best efforts of a team now playing as a unit. Unfortunately, a very technical foul allegedly committed by a Bar FC defender led to a penalty kick, and for BNP to go further ahead 2-0.

The injection of Phillips, as the game wore on, provided the tonic that Bar FC needed, with his reading of the play and adept ball placements for the attack. Eventually, Coutinho scored, most skilfully, to bring Bar back into the game. The final stanza of this hard-fought match saw Bar FC try, repeatedly, for an equalizer. Despite the best efforts of every player, the gap could not be closed, and a gallant 2-1 defeat was the result.

Today’s Bar FC squad: Sebastian Hartford Davis, Anais D’Arville, Despina Christofis, Alexander Ionita, Graham Connolly, Jeh Coutinho, Ajay Sivanathan, Andy Munro, Jackson Rogers, Ivan Griscti, Simon Philips, John Harris (K)