THREE goals in the space of 20 minutes - it was that first half effort which set Barnstoneworth FC on the path to a 4-2 victory over Panorama FC in Saturday's Western Premier League clash.
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Both teams went into the contest at Proctor Park looking to build on opening round 1-all draws, but it was Barnies who were sharper earlier and it hurt the hosts.
A stunning long range salvo from 30 yards out fired off the boot of Ben Giumelli into the top right corner of the net in the third minute was the first blow.
Four minutes later Paulo Grassi had doubled Barnies' lead and when Giumelli made it a brace in the 23rd minute, the Orange outfit was well on its way to its maiden WPL victory.
"That was the plan after the way we started last week. We knew what we were up for today and we wanted to get them on the back foot early and build the rest of the game off there, we're happy because that's what we did," Barnies skipper Josh Summerson said.
"We've changed the way we train, we've changed the way we warm up and I think that's really helped us. It means we are coming in and hitting our stride when the game starts rather than coming in a bit fatigued."
While Panorama lifted after that start and actually created more chances than their rivals as the game unfolded, manager Brent Osborne conceded the opening quarter of the match was costly.
"You can't go three goals down after 20 minutes and expect to win a game can you?," he lamented.
"The boys are pretty disappointed and I know it's a cliche, but I thought we were the better team for a lot of the game. But credit to Barnies, they had opportunities and they took them.
"The warm up was good, the boys were looking good. There's probably a few things we need to tweak at the back there, just a bit of aggression around the challenge, so we'll have a look at it."
While the opening goal was all individual brilliance from Giumelli, Barnies' second highlighted the strong points of their performance - slick passing, good vision and strong support play.
A Grant Koch cross picked out Jackson Fuda on the far post and his ball back towards goal was then turned into the net by Grassi.
While Panorama went to the break 3-0 down, they were not without their chances in the first half. What was missing was the execution and at times it was a case of taking one touch too many.
Two free kicks on the edge of the box did not threaten and on the occasions when Panorama's attack was played in behind Barnies' defence, they were unable to capitalise.
However, the second stanza saw Panorama come out with greater intensity. Their passing was crisper, they worked harder off the ball and as a result, they looked more threatening.
A Ryan Peacock header drifted just wide and a Will Fitzpatrick free kick struck the post before the breakthrough finally came in the 52nd minute.
Nice work from Tony Clancy released Fitzpatrick who produced a clinical finish to make it 3-1.
That gave Panorama a sniff, but it was Barnies who were the next to score 20 minutes later as Jack McGregor knocked in a beautiful Fuda cross.
Panorama picked up a 90th minute consolation from the penalty spot as Peacock converted after being brought down in the box. It put the final score at 4-2.
"We won the second half 2-1, so we'll take positives out of that," Osborne said.
"With their [final] goal, it was their only chance in the half and they put it away. It was a bit of a lesson for our boys, that little bit of extra desire at either end of the park. They had extra desire to arrive in the box to score the goal.
"I think for 70-80 minutes we were probably the better team, but you switch off for 10 minutes and they put three goals in - it's hard to come back.
"I think they're a really good team, they've got some good quality there and they finished well and that first goal - you can't be upset at that one. But you can be upset at the shortest bloke on the pitch winning a header off a corner, you've got to be better than that."
While Summerson said there are still areas his men need to work on, in the main he was pleased with they way they executed their game plan.
"We knew they'd press in that second half and we knew they'd press hard, but we were confident in what we do and thought if we continue to do that, we'd get the result and we have," he said.
"We've got a very strong back line now, so if we can shut it out and play it out from there, that's how we hope to do it.
"They did well to scramble back, but that's something we'll look at in the coming week and see if we can fix it."
- BARNSTONEWORTH FC 4 (Ben Giumelli 2, Paulo Grassi, Jack McGregor) defeated PANORAMA FC 2 (Will Fitzpatrick, Ryan Peacock)