2nd March 2023 – Heywood Sports Village doesn’t let us down with the usual cold, blustery, showery weather. However technology did let us own, so no photos or videos from todays action which is a real shame because there was some great goals from Graham W and from Gordon (the dog) and some fantastic saves from General Gaz, plus controversy and a sin bin.
The Relics season kicked off with a tough game against last seasons runners up Kingsmaid. Relics played well, and both team had chances but the game ended 0 – 0
The Relics 2nd game of the day was against Corinthians. These are always tough games. The Relics played some great football, pass and move, quick paced play, it was a delight to watch. The Relics had the early chances with a passing Wayne > Gordon > Graham, but his shot was saved. Another passing move saw a great turn and shot from Graham which was saved by the Corinthians keeper.
Corinthians had a good spell with a powerful shot from distance well saved by Gaz. Another powerful shot hit the underside of the Relics bar and bounced back into play, a close one that! Gaz was kept busy again with a shot straight at him this time.
Another good passing move from the Relics ended in controversy. The move ended up with Graham with the ball at his feet, back to goal with a defender behind him on the edge of the Corinthians area, he was bundled down by the defender and the ref awarded a penalty to the Relics. The Corinthians defender was not happy with the ref at all, and was complaining angrily to him which resulted in the defender getting sin-binned for his actions. From the side-lines it looked like a definite foul on Graham from behind by the defender so spot on by the ref.
Ian stepped up to take the penalty, his shot into the bottom right hand corner gave the keeper no chance Final score Reiics 1 – Corinthians 0
Next up Rochdale who started brightly but with the Relics first attack, from a passing move that started in the Relics defence, Gordon found Graham who’s quick turn and shot into the bottom left corner of the net put the Relics 1 – 0 up.
Relics were playing good football which resulted in a few good chances with Graham hitting the post, another shot going just wide and anther saved by the Rochdale keeper.
At the the other end Gaz made a superb save from close range and a Rochdale free kick ended over the bar.
The next Relics attack found Gordon storming down the right hand side un-challenge form his own half, fire a superb shot from the edge of the area that gave the keeper no chance Relics 2 – 0 up.
Almost immediately from the re start the Relics won possession and a passing move from Ian to Graham, who found Gordon with a superb little flick. Gordon moved forward and tricked the keeper who went to ground and Gordon calmly played a wonderful chip over the keeper into the net. A goal of the season contender already and a pity it wasn’t caught on camera Relics 3 – 0
Rochdale had the final chance of the game when the Ref awarded them a penalty, but the penalty was missed giving the Relics a 3 – 0 win
Final game of the day was against last seasons Champions Wakefield. A good, even, end to end game saw the Relics lose 0 – 1 to a very powerful shot that whizzed past Gaz on his inside post. The shot was so hard Gaz didn’t have a chance. The Relics had a few chances but couldn’t pull the goal back. Final score Relics 0 – 1 Wakefield
A massive well played to al the Relics today, some great football, great saves, and great goals. Gaz, Tony G, Keith S, Wayne G, Ian McC, Gordon (dog), Graham W
For all the 2023 fixture and results see the Match Centre page here …
Bury Relics 