Matches played on the 6th of September 2023.
Bury Relics over 70s were awesome last season, only to have a bad day at the office for the final set of fixtures. The team were chomping at the bit, ready to make an impact on the new season. Today was so sun-shiny and hot, that it was like Heywood had been lifted from Manchester and flown to Dubai. A herd of Camels would not have looked out of place today. Blackpool were Relic’s first opponents, who were donning their white kit, in contrast to their usual Orange.
Blackpool FC SS 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
Goal: 1-0 to Bury. An 18-year-old like Bob, who’s really 80, makes a great challenge on the left as Blackpool try to start an attack from their keeper. Bob quickly distributes a precise pass to John W in centre field, who uses skill to carry the ball across to the right, before driving an accurate shot, low into the bottom corner. There is a hint of toe-bung in the shot but the Ref allows it; it’s a great goal for Bury to take the lead, (click-here).
Goal: 1-1 an equalizer for Blackpool. John W is in the action again, as he is unlucky to lose his bearings while frantically trying to defend. Unfortunately for him, a foot has just entered the Bury penalty area. Eddy nearly gets there but it’s a goal for Blackpool, (click-here).
Result; Blackpool FC SS 70’s 1 – 1 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Rochdale AFC Strollers 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
Goal: 1-0 to Bury; a multiple-pass-move by Bury ends in an interception by the Rochdale defence. However, John W is quick and enthusiastic to make a challenge to retrieve the ball. Then he’s alert enough to lay on a crisp pass across the area for John M to smash home, (click-here).
In the first instance, the referee was thinking that John M had hit the ball in the area and disallowed the goal. On the video, it is clear that the ball was struck outside the box, before John’s momentum took him into the area. The end of the video has the exact moment when contact with the ball was made. Credit to the Rochdale players who were honest and admitted the goal was good. Accordingly, the Ref eventually gave the goal to Bury. Unfortunately, by that time, John W had talked himself into a red card and was off.
Result; Rochdale AFC Strollers 70’s 0 – 1 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Bury Relics Over 70’s versus Manchester Senior Citizens
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
There were no official goals in this game but there was potentially a phantom goal, where a shot hit a stanchion and rebounded out of goal; one City player claimed it was a goal but to no avail. Judge for yourself, (click-here).
Result; Bury Relics Over 70’s 0 – 0 Manchester Senior Citizens
Manchester Corinthians 70’s versus Bury Relics Over 70’s
To watch extended highlights of this game, click-here.
No goals in this game but several fabulous saves by Eddy, one of which is shown here. Immediately after the super save, there is some controversy about a disallowed Corinthians goal, (click-here).
Result; Manchester Corinthians 70’s 0 – 0 Bury Relics Over 70’s
Today’s games were full of incident, with John W having a hand (or foot) in all 3 goals scored/conceded. He drove home to put Relics one up versus Blackpool, before putting a foot print in the area to give Blackpool a pen. In the next game John W’s tenacity and vision provided a good assist for John M to score the winner against Rochdale. Then he saw red for disagreeing with the Ref. Added to that was City’s phantom goal that never was; who would have thought that goal line technology could be needed for Walking Football? Then, there was the tumbleweed moment when nearly all of time stood still with the exception of a Corinthians Striker. He fired past Eddy to score, only to learn that the goal would not ultimately count (probably a bit lucky that).
Bury’s entire team played excellently today, to produce a hard-earned 6 points. Eddy made some sensational saves, including a penalty save, and tipping a blockbuster of a shot onto the bar. I think the cross-bar is still shaking now. Bob and Dave M defended brilliantly, John M was all over the park with limitless energy and Keiren was always available up-front to receive passes and keep attacks going. Sir Pat the Cat, who filled in for John W, was excellent in midfield, making some purposeful forays forward and providing several good passes.
Team today: Eddy (GK), Dave M, Bob, John W, John M, Keiren and Pat; Manager was Keith S. Thanks to Kodak Keith for the photos, and support was provided by Ian M and Watford Mark. Dr. John wrote the report.
Photos
Bury Relics 