Bury Relics Over 70’s went into their last set of fixtures of the Greater Manchester Division 1 Walking Football league campaign again struggling to field 6 properly match fit players due to holidays, injury and illness. The squad was Eddy (GK), Tex (returning to a pitch for the first time in 6 weeks after a hairline wrist fracture), Bob, Kieran, Keith B, JoMo and Woggy with Keith the Kit Man as Manager, Dave (injured) as Assistant Manager plus Kodak Keith & Watford Mark in attendance. A good day resulted in 2 wins, 1 defeat and 1draw which was enough to secure second place.
First up were Corinthians in a top of the table clash. We needed to win to put pressure on the league leaders in the hope of overtaking them. We lined up with the tried and tested defence of Eddy in net with Tex and Bob patrolling the back line, JoMo and Woggy in the middle and Keiran up front. Unfortunately, it looked like the pressure was on us as we started poorly and got worse ending up with no shots on goal. Corinthians got a shot in quickly and had us on the ropes to such an extent that JoMo encroached in our area to concede a penalty. Fortunately, the Fantastic Mr. Ford foiled Ray’s spot kick attempt. Eventually, their hustle paid off when Woggy was bundled off the ball in midfield. The ball broke kindly for them and was toe-bunged into the bottom corner past a stranded Eddy. Corinthians then strolled through the remaining minutes to win 1-0 and seal the Championship.
We then had 2 options, crumble and possibly lose the runners up trophy or pick ourselves up and clinch second place.
Match 2 v Rochdale, saw the same starting line up with Keith B again sub. We started well with a Tex screamer flying past the post and JoMo playing a nice ball up to Keiran, who turned on a sixpence, fired off a first time shot which the keeper got down well to. Immediately, Keith B took over from Kieran and he got straight into the thick of it with a good shot just nicking the outside of the upright. We were looking good but out of nowhere they broke up the pitch and as we were outnumbered which led to Woggy running across the box to give away a penalty. It was blasted in and we were 1-0 down. We responded well to the setback and piled forward with nothing to lose and the constant waves of attack resulted in Rochdale clocking up 4 fouls and a penalty for us. Woggy despatched it with aplomb for a 1-1 draw.
Next up were Blackpool with Keiran starting on the bench. We dominated possession and shots rained down onto their goal from all our players but their keeper had an excellent game keeping us at bay. Eventually, a Blackpool defender stepped into the area and again Woggy scored from the spot, this time low to the keeper’s right for a 1-0 Bury win.
Our final match of the season was against Manchester Citizens. Within 15 seconds, Woggy intercepted a loose pass and slotted away a daisy cutter past the keeper’s outstretched leg. An entertaining game ensued as City gave as good as they got but Eddy kept a clean sheet for Bury to run out 1-0 victors.
It was a good end to the season which had been severely disrupted throughout by injury, illness and suspension but we kept on fighting time after time. Corinthians were deserved Champions but I am certain that the Spring season will see a revitalised Relics squad contend again.
Team Photo and trophy
Bury Relics 