A biting cold wind and icy rain greeted the players for the second round of games in the GMWFL over 60’s division 1 spring 2022 season. The Relics, who were short on numbers with players absent due to holidays and injuries, had to draft in a couple of over 70’s players. This is a tough league with quality teams and players and the Relics had some hard games ahead of them.
The Relics first test was against Kingsmaid who started the day as league leaders. From the kick off Kingsmaid showed why they were top of the league forcing Gaz in the Relics goal into at least three excellent saves early on, with the Relics only reply was a shot wide from Jerry.
Late in the first half Kingsmaid went ahead when a cross field pass from the left found a Kingsmaid player free on the right, his fierce shot gave Gaz no chance.
Relics 0 – Kingsmaid 1
However the Relics came back strong in the second half. With the strong icy wind acting as an seventh man. Within a few minutes the Relics were level when the Kingsmaid keeper couldn’t hold a shot from Graham that he got his hands to but the shot spun up and over the his body into the net. Relics 1 -Kingsmaid 1
The Relics were boosted by the goal and were on top now with Graham testing the nervous keeper with another couple of attempt’s and Keith S having a shot turned for a corner.
Despite the pressure the Relics couldn’t fine the winner and it ended 1 – 1
The second game for the Relics was just as tough. Corinthians started well forcing Gaz into a good save. Relics were denied a potential goal when a pass from Jerry found Graham in space, he charged forward (walking of course) but was fouled by a Corinthians player. Surely a penalty for denial of a goal scoring opportunity, but no, the ref had already blown for running by the Corinthians player before the foul so only a free kick.
Corinthians went ahead from a move down their right hand side resulted in a sot from a very tight angle that was too powerful for Gaz as it went past him into the far corner of the Relics goal.
Fina score Relics 0 – Corinthians 1
After the game the Relics were praised by the ref for not having any offences against them for the entire game. A good show of discipline from the Relics, but 3 points would have been better.
Next up was Rochdale. The Relics started brightly despite struggling to keep warm in between games. Graham put Terry through but his shot was wide. Rochdale replied and went ahead when a pass across the Relics goal area found a man free on the far post who slotted the ball home.
Relics 0 – Rochdale 1
Rochdale continued to press and forced Gaz into a couple of good saves.
The Relics drew level when a fantastic long cross-field ball from the Relics left full back position from Keith S found Terry free on the right hand side of the Rochdale area, his screamer gave the Rochdale keeper no chance.
Relics 1 – Rochdale 1.
And that’s how it finished. Final Score Relics 1 – Rochdale 1.
The final game of the day after another cold wait for the Relics was Wakefield. The Relics had the first attempt with a shot from Keith S going just over. Wakefield had the better of the game from then on. Playing fast pass and move football they put pressure on the Relics goal a few shots high and wide but others testing Gaz.
The Relics replied with a shot from Graham from distance which tested the keeper. A good display from the Relics who defended well.
Final score Relics 0 – Wakefield 0
So, a tough day on and off the pitch, but the Relics gave as good as they got but just couldn’t turn the effort into more points.
Well done to all the Relics: Gaz (gk), Pete Shev, Jerry S, Terry H, Graham W, Keith S. Super sub Pat, Manager Ken B.
For all the GMWFL Spring 2022 fixtures and results see the Match Centre page here
Bury Relics 