Heywood was covered in grey skies and freezing drizzle for the last games of the autumn 2021 season, but that didn’t affect the performance of the Relics. A day of drama, pride, and perseverance, started with Keiran only available for two games due to attending a funeral. Then goalkeeper Eddie was injured in the first game, Pat was drafted in and did a fantastic job in the remaining two games. Bob got injured in the first game and couldn’t carry on, but got kitted up and played the last game carrying the injury due to lack of available players. And it turned out a good day in the end.
Relics v Blackpool. Blackpool started brightly and had the first chance, a through ball found a Blackpool player free on the edge of he box but Eddie was out of the blocks quicker that a greyhound to smoother the shot. The Relics replied with a shot from Tex going just wide. Jerry went close with another effort shortly after. The Relics came close late on in the game with a cross field pass from Jerry on the left found Tex on the right who fired a thunderbolt that brought a groan from the Relics followers on the touch line as it went just wide of the Blackpool keepers right hand post.
Final score Blackpool 0 Relics 0
Relics v Rochdale. Following Eddie getting injured in the Blackpool game Pat was drafted in as keeper and was in immediate action saving a powerful shot from Rochdale. The Relics replied with some flowing passing moves which ended with Jerry free on the left finding Keiran in the middle but his shot was saved. Pat was called into action again shortly after with another great save. The deadlock was broken with a superbly worked goal from the Relics, a pass from Tony P from the left back position found Keiran in midfield with his back to goal, Keiran produced a tremendous one-touch lay off to Jerry on the left wing, he rounded his marker, took a couple of steps forward, and with the cries of shoooot from the touchline, did just that and rifled a right foot shot into the top left hand corner of the goal. A truly great goal.
Rochdale were fighting back trying to maintain their unbeaten season, a shot was superbly saved by Pat diving down to his right hand side pushing it out for a corner. Pat was busy now, saving another shot for a corner. Time was ticking by, and in the dying seconds Rochdale snatched an equaliser with a low hard shot from the right hand side of the area just squeezing past Pat at the near post. The final whistle sounded as the Relics restarted the game. So near for the Relics, 30 seconds away from a memorable victory.
Final score Relics 1 – Rochdale 1
Relics v Preston. The final game of the season and the Relics were down to five and a half fit players with Bob called in playing with an injury. The game was played mainly in midfield with the Relics having the majority of the ball but not creating many chances. Preston had a couple of shots early on that went well wide of Pats goal. At the other end Jerry cut in from the left and produced a great save from the Preston keeper. Pat kept the Relics in the game, and unbeaten on the day, with a great left handed save from the Preston striker who was through on goal.
Final score Relics 0 v Preston 0
All the games on the day were drawn which meant that the Relics finished Runners Up in the league, a fantastic achievement from the Relics adding to the Runners Up spot achieved by the over 65’s the previous week and adding another trophy to the trophy cabinet at Castle Leisure Centre.
Well played to all the Relics, Eddie (GK), Bob, Keiran, Pete A, Jerry, Tony P, Tex, Pat and Manager Keith S. Also to all the supporters that turned out.
As special thank you to Dr John for the great pictures and post games brews.
For all the GMWFL Autumn 2021 results and fixtures see the Match Centre page here
Bury Relics 