October 2024
Angry skies and a cool breeze welcomed Bury Relics to the Heywood stadium, with Bury Relics players warming up on the pitch. First thing on the agenda was a “League Huddle” and a word about bringing in Astroturf Soil into the building; the cleaners have reported a disproportionate high number of rubber particles found during clean ups (de-particle trainers before re-entering the building after games was the message). Also, very good advice, to enjoy and play football with a smile on your face.
Bury Relics had had a steady start in Septembers round of fixtures, earning them a 2nd place position in the league, on 6 points. Corinthians were sat on top of the pile on 8 points. A strong squad was available for selection that included: Keiren T (C), Eddy F (GK), Bob, Jomo, Gerry L, Ray H, Peter T and Dave M. The midfield maestro that is JW was present but was unable to play as still injured. The team manager on the day was Keith S, with Ken B and Pat acting as backup staff.
Bury Relics v Tameside
The team was set out with Keiren T up-front, Jomo and Gerry in midfield, with Bob and Dave in defence in front of Eddy in goal. Bury start strongly, with intercepting a Tameside pass, which culminates in Gerry taking a shot that just goes wide. However, Tameside create a chance, with their attacker bearing down on goal; however, Bob is close enough to get one of his long legs in the way, to make an impressive goal saving tackle. From the subsequent Bury move, Gerry is put through on goal, and his powerful and low shot cannons off the post, which Jomo is onto. However, Jomo can’t find an accurate enough finish, and the ball goes wide. As the game was progressing, one characteristic feature was that Tameside were coming out of defence but taking risks. The goalkeeper gives it to a defender, and he wanders across the front of the box, and just gets a pass through to the right-wing. It looked risky as there was not much space. And sure enough, a few minutes later, a Tameside defender tries to dribble out of defence and is robbed by an alert Jomo. There is just the keeper to beat for Jomo, as the keeper goes to ground quickly, to cover any low shot by Jomo. However, Jomo sees a completely unmarked Gerry to his right and makes a pass. Gerry easily finishes into an empty goal. Great pressure from Relics to make the goal. For the majority of the game, Relics have been in control, had more possession and the slicker passing. This was emphasised by Dave M, getting forward from the back and was involved in 2 strikes on goal (one wide and one saved). In contrast though, towards the tail end of the game, it got a bit ragged, with Bob getting pushed by a Tameside attacker and getting a corner from it. The resulting passing move from Tameside nearly gives them a goal but for an Eddy save. The final whistle finally goes with Bury Relics worthy one nil winners.
Bury Relics 1 – 0 Tameside
Bury Relics v Rochdale
The next opponents for Bury are Rochdale. There is an alteration of Bury personnel; Ray and Peter T are on for Gerry and Keiren. This game is a lot faster and 2 running offences are soon committed, one from each team. It also appears that Rochdale are marking man for man all over the pitch, so not as much space for Bury as was against Tameside. The snappy passing ends in a Rochdale interception and a swift shot that just goes wide. And again, from the subsequent Bury possession, Rochdale manage to intercept again and test out Eddy in goal, who makes a sharp save with his feet. Rochdale are on top now, and their pressure leads to a contact foul by Relics. This was due to their skilful and tricky #7 who could turn either way. In fact, if he was quicker, he could have got shots away on 2 of his attacks. Then Bury go down the other end and Jomo produces a powerful shot, that brings a great save out of their keeper (low shot to keepers right but he manages to get to it). Jomo intercepts a Rochdale pass and sets up Gerry, who passes back to Jomo; his shot goes wide. Then it’s a good interception and move by Rochdale, with quick passing, resulting in their #5 taking a low shot that has Eddy scrambling but the ball just goes past the post (very close). This game is a lot quicker and physical than the first game, and Rochdale have more shots, which are saved by Eddy. In the end a good point for Bury as it was a tough game, with Rochdale having more of the shots.
Bury Relics 0 – 0 Rochdale
Bury Relics v Burnley
Against Burnley, Bury were the dominant side, in control and having around 70 percent of possession. The 2 goals Bury scored were fabulous, with the first coming from 81 years old Bob. He could have been 61, when the ball arrived at his feet, around 8 yards outside of the area, to the right-hand side. There were players positioned all around him, but he saw a path to goal, and hit a sumptuous low and hard shot that glided across the AstroTurf, to nestle into the bottom corner of the Burnley net. Everyone was shocked as it was a long way out. The keeper was probably unsighted but he would not have saved it anyway, it was so precise. A fabulous goal, that would be nominated for goal of the month, if the Manchester Walking Football League had it. The second goal was nearly as good, coming from Peter T. He was always on the move, looking to find space to receive the ball. On one such move, he was in space, in a shootable position; he took aim and fired high, past a startled keeper, A quality finish from someone new to playing league walking football for Relics. The 2 excellent goals put Relics in a commanding position. However, Burnley kept plugging away and had several half chances by some good passing moves and enthusiastic forward play. There was to be some more drama though, as Bury ended up giving away 4 fouls and it was a penalty to Burnley. The spaghetti western style stand-off between striker and goalkeeper ensued, with Eddy’s stare coming out on top. The Striker blinked first and smashed his penalty shot against the cross-bar. I was not completely sure, but some nanograms of goalkeeper glove fibres were later recovered from the football, confirming Eddy’s claim that he got his fingertips on the ball, to divert it onto the cross-bar. In that case, was a great save!. In summary, Bury managed to keep a clean sheet and claim a good victory.
Bury 2 – 0 Burnley
Bury v Corinthians
At the start of this game Corinthians were top as they had already won their first 2 games, to give them 14 points. Bury, from their 7 point haul on the day, were sat in second place on 13 points. In terms of the league, this was a battle of the giants; however, Corinthians still had another game to go after this one. Similar to the Tameside and Burnley games, Bury Relics had the greater control of the game play, with more possession and better passing moves. The only goal of the game came from Gerry, who managed to take on a defender, take the ball wide of his challenge and finish past a diving keeper. An excellent strike. Towards the end of the game, some controversial decisions were being made by the referee, where players were giving fouls away for backing-in, when just receiving the ball with their back to goal. In this scenario, it seemed harsh to me. As a result of this, the game was getting a bit tetchy as Corinthians tried to find an equalizer. However, it was not to be and ultimately, the final result was a one nil win for Bury Relics.
Bury 1 – 0 Corinthians
All in all, what a fabulous day for Bury Relics over 70s! All players enthusiastically competed and played really well. Against all opponents, except Rochdale, Bury were in control and deserved the positive results they achieved. This league looks to be a 3-way title chase, with Bury, Rochdale and Corinthians all in the mix. As it transpired, Rochdale managed to draw with Corinthians in the final game and that enabled Bury to be top of the league at the end of the 2nd set of fixtures; Bury with 16 points and Corinthians on 15. If Bury can keep up this level of performance, there is a good chance of finishing high in the league. Many Bury Relics players turned out to support the 70s: Watford Mark, Keith H, Keith B, Ken Bon, Kev, Tex, JW, Andy and others; a good turn out of support.
Report by Dr. John and photos by Kodak Keith H.
Link to Match Centre
Photos by Kodak Keith
Bury Relics 