Another weather summary to start, and what a difference a day makes, today was sunny skies and moderate temperatures, great weather for playing walking football.
The Relics over 60’s whites needed a good day having started the day at the foot of Division 1.
It was a tough start for the Relics in a top v bottom clash against a very talented, quick, and tough Kingsmaid who started the day top of the league.
Kingsmaid were on the offensive right from the start testing Gaz in the Relics goal from the kick off, forcing Gaz into a number of good saves one of which left looking round for the ball but he managed to get his bearings and stop the ball from spinning over the line.
The Relics task was a tough one and it became even tougher when Terry was hit by a hard tackle and had to come off. That was the end of Terry’s playing time for the day as he took no further part in any games.
The Relics gave as good as they got with JoMo, Dog, and Graham W combining well and testing the Kingsmaid keeper. Eventually the Kingsmaid pressure paid off when a low hard shot beat Gaz to put them 1 – 0 up.
Kingsmaid were now playing keep ball stopping the Relics from getting possession. The Relics kept the pressure on with a great sharp turn and left foot shot from Graham went just wide. Other attempts on the Kingsmaid goal from JoMo, Dog, and Graham were all close.
In the final moments the Relics committed a foul just outside the Relics box, the ref deemed it a goal scoring opportunty and therefore a penalty to Kingsmaid. The penalty was well place and hit too strong for Gaz. The final whistle went as soon as the penalty went in.
Final score Relics 0 – Kingmaid 2
It was a good performance from the Relics that wasn’t reflected in the scoreline.
A tough day continued with the next game against second in the table Corinthians.
Both teams started well. Corinthians tested Gaz who was called into action with a great couple of saves. Relics responded with some great passing moves forcing the Corinthians keeper into some good saves.
Relics went ahead from a fantastic flowing move from the back. Gaz to Graham who passed to Dog, he found JoMo with a great through ball, JoMo kept his composure and slotted a great ball past the keeper. Relics 1 – 0 up.
Relics were now on top with shots from Keith S and Graham saved by the keeper, and Dog shooting just wide. Relics where playing keep-ball themselves now but it didn’t stop Corinthians from getting forward and creating chances, one shot hit the corner of the crossbar and the post, another forced Gaz into a great save down low to his left hand side. The Relics held on to achieve a memorable win, with a great all round performance.
Next up was another tough game, this time against Rochdale.
The Relics continued where they left off against Corinthians playing fast paced, pass and move, football with new signing Gordon, (Dog) impressive in midfield.
The Relics created some great chance from flowing passing moves. Dog > JoMo > Graham, turn and shot just wide. Dog > Graham > Jo<o shot blocked.
Rochdale replied with a long range shot from the right hand side nearly caught Gaz out but he pulled off a save to tip the ball over for a corner. Then from a Rochdale breakaway Gaz made another save.
The action concluded with more Relics flowing passing moves, Graham, > JoMo > Graham whose shot was saved.
A super performance from the Relics who were a little unlucky to only finish with a 0 – 0 draw.
Final game of the day for The Relics was Wakefield. This was another close game.
Wakefield started well with a strong shot that Gaz saved, pushing it over for a corner. Then a quick turn and shot through a Relics defenders legs was well saved by Gaz.
The Relics continued to play good flowing, passing football. Keith S had a great chance. Following an interchange of passes between Keith S > Dog > JoMo > Dog, Keith S made a good overlap down the left and got the ball from Dog his left foot shot was just wide, but what a great move.
At the back Wayne and Keith S were restricting were restricting the Wakefield chances, and when they did get through Gaz was there to make key saves. Another competitive performance from the Relics, but no goals and a final score of Relics 0 – Wakefield 0
Another tough day at Heywood for the Relics summed up very nicely by coach Ken on the WhatsApp group … “Well what a tremendous effort from the 60s today with only 6 outfield players fit and then Terry gets injured in our first game and Pat subbing for us plus a player I borrowed, we played some great stuff and won 1-nil v Corinthians drew nil nil with both Rochdale and Wakefield and lost to Kingsmaid, but give them a tough game. Really proud of the effort and some cracking football..ps..and we’ve found a gem in the dog.”
Well done to all the Relics: Gaz (gk), Tony G, Wayne, Keith S, Terry H, JoMo, Graham W. Gordon (Dog), Super sub Pat, Manager Ken B.
For all the GMWFL Spring 2022 fixtures and results see the Match Centre page here
Bury Relics 