Player Focus on skipper Barry Fearn

After suffering a hugely embarrasing defeat to Athletico Star last week, one voice stood out in the dressing room afterwards. Barry Fearn was one of the few players who came away from the Athletico debacle with any credit after a hard fought performance and after the game his rallying call to all the players to react to the defeat and show their true potential in the next game was a strong one. The next game against Leith Persevere may have also brought a defeat, but the 4-3 scoreline gave The Bridge players their pride back and they were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point from the match.

Barry captained the side in the Persevere game and scored an impressive hattrick from midfield and deservedly picked up the man of the match award. After the game the player said:
"There were many positives on Sunday against Persevere.  In the end we were unlucky not to win after being 4-1 down and some of the football we played in the 2nd half was by far the best we've
played so far."
And on his own performance in the game Barry added, "Personally, my fitness levels are improving and that's helped me put in a couple of solid performances.  The more games the better for me at the moment as I'm training for the Great North Run at the end of September."

Barry has been one the most consistent performers since joining Fountainbridge, and when asked about how he feels about the club and his team mates so far he replied:
"Despite a couple of disappointing results, everything so far has been positive.  There's a fantastic camaraderie amongst the lads and everyone is working as a team.  As far as league position goes, our last two games against Perservere and against Longstone tonight have given me greater hope.  Our first target needs to be to get some more points on the board, we'll win some and lose some this season (apologies for the cliche)
and must not get either too disheartened or carried away with results."

And when asked if he has set any goals for the season;
"I haven't set any personal goals other than to help initiate a hard-working togetherness and encouraging the rest of the lads to speak up and play their part."

After his hattrick against Persevere Barry was very modest about his goal scoring abiliy.
"I've never been known as a goal-scoring midfield player to be honest and Sundays hat-trick was only the second of my career, the first coming 5 or 6 years ago which included two penalties.  The first just flew in, the second was all down to the delivery from Keith and the 3rd will hopefully become more of my trademark - I have chipped in with a few set-piece headers over the years.  I'd like to think with the 3 goal head start I've given myself, I'll be aiming for double figures this season."

The most impressive part of Sundays performance against Persevere was the central midfield three of Barry, Mark Smith and Steve Weare. When asked how he felt about playing with his fellow two midfielders Barry said:
"Weary runs his nuts off and Mark is a strong all-round player, good with the ball at his feet and strong in the air too.  The communication is good between us, with one sitting if 2 are pushing up and it's certainly an improvement on the first 2 games.  There's no weak links in the side at all but I have to give a mention to both Chris at centre back and Keith for his finishing as the players who have stood out the most for me so far this season."

And finally a look ahead to Fountainbridge's next match which comes at Roseburn on Sunday against a strong Gorgie Hearts side.
"I think the game will be tough, but we have learned a few lessons in the last couple of games so as long as we keep tight at the back, get stuck in in the middle and are clinical up front then we should be aiming for 3 points again.  The spirit in the side is good and lets see if we can clock up back-to-back victories.  'Mon the bridge!"

Another fantastic rallying cry from the Fountainbridge captain in the aftermath of the first league win for the club against Longstone.


Other Player Focus
Ian Fleming
Keith Alexander