GMWFL Autumn 2024 – Over 70s play well again to remain top of the league

November 2024
Sir Pat was drafted in to manage the “in form” over 70s Bury Relics team. He and his team delivered on the day with resolute performances and a sprinkle of good fortune. The squad and staff for the day: Eddy (GK), Keiren T (C), Gerry L, Bob D, Eric L, John (Jomo), Dave M and Peter T. Manager/coach Sir Pat. An overcast day, with little wind, gave fairly decent football playing conditions. Plenty of supporters had turned out to watch: Andy Van R, Kev, Ken, Watford Mark, Keith B and John W to name a few. The first game was against Thameside.

Bury Relics v Tameside
Keiren makes a good turn and shot on Relics first sortie, which just whistles around the wrong side of the post. In quick succession, Thameside go down the other end and fire in a long-range effort that is saved by Eddy. The game is to and throw, with both sides having multiple shots. There are running offences from both teams, and the counts are totting up. A nice passage of play, involving Gerry and a wonderful pass, gets Bob free on goal, and he takes a quick toe-bung shot that is just saved by the keeper. A nice move from the Relics. Then, Thameside manage to create a chance, where their striker is totally free, one-on-one, against Eddy; he should do better with his shot and the scuffed effort is easily saved by Eddy. After Eddy passing into midfield, the ball falls at Jomo’s feet, and he takes a very long range shot, that is low, and cannons off the left hand post. An excellent attempt, which had their keeper beaten. Good interplay between Peter T and Gerry, crescendos with Gerry making a good shot that is equalled by a brilliant save by the Thameside keeper. Lots of chances for both teams in this game. Then the ref blows his whistle against Thameside for running, and it’s a 4-foul penalty. Gerry calmly strokes the penalty, high, into the middle of the net as the keeper gambles and dives low to his left; an excellent penalty. Soon after, it’s all over to give Relics a good win.
Bury Relics 1 – 0 Thameside

Bury Relics v Rochdale
This games was a contrast to the Thameside game, which had many shots from both teams. This was more chess like, with good passing and possessions but both teams were marking well and it was difficult for either team to make an opening for a decent shot. However, a quick interception by Bob, gives Eric a quick first-time shot but it was just wide. Rochdale then gain a gift of a corner as no Relics players had touched a wide shot from Rochdale. The resulting play involved a shot from Rochdale that had Eddy scrambling across his goal to make a good save. Then, again, Eddy pulls off a good save, this time from their #2, who makes a sharp turn and shot. Then, wow, wonderful, majestic, you hardly ever see a goal like this in league football. Eric receives the ball close to the area, with his back to goal and with a defender in close attendance behind him. He looks to see what support is around him, but instead of laying it off, he makes a very powerful back-heel that flies past both defender and keeper and into the net. That got the loudest cheer of the day from the side lines. It is safe to say, Eric will be talking about that goal for some time to come. Great goal. Rochdale now get more frantic and try and reply quickly. Despite that, Bury end up victorious, from a majestic back-heel goal.
Bury Relics 1 – 0 Rochdale

Bury Relics v Burnley
In the first few minutes of this game, it looked like it was going to be a one-sided game, dominated by the Relics. However, as the game progressed, it turned into a tetchy game, with both sides committing both running and contact fouls. There were few clear-cut chances for either team. Bob was outstanding all day though, and this was exemplified by his strong will and battling skills. No quarter was given when challenging their midfielder as he attacked the Relics goal. The best move of the game was an interception by Bob, who fed Jomo, who then took a fierce shot that was saved well by their keeper. The result was probably fair in the end, a goalless draw.
Bury Relics 0 – 0 Burnley

Bury Relics v Corinthians
At the start of play today, there was a single point separating both teams, so this was a battle of the top-two. The game was highly competitive and the Corinthians strategy was to man mark all of the Relics team when out of possession. This made distribution difficult for Eddy. and also for passing moves. So, Relics had to work hard to make space, and were intercepted a couple of times, where Jomo had to sprint back to defend. On the second occasion, picking up a running foul. Gerry was battling hard and picked up a couple of fouls, one for backing in. There were few clear chances but Corinthians had 2 glorious chances to score: the first came from a Corinthians interception and a quick pass forward. Bob tried to get back but slipped over, leaving it 3 versus 1 at the back. Corinthians passed it wide to a spare man, who had only Eddy to beat. Eddy anticipated a near post shot and dived immediately to cover the obvious shot to his right, but the striker hit his shot high to Eddy’s left, with the ball cannoning off the top-right-corner of the goal and to safety. That was one let-off, but the second came courtesy of a 4-foul penalty, which was awarded against the Relics. The penalty can be seen here, and it is clear that the taker takes a small step back before striking the ball into the net. The Ref spots it and immediately says no goal, and it’s Eddy’s ball. The game ends 0 – 0 and the Corinthians staff are not happy. However, it’s a great result for the Relics, and helps cement their position at the top of the league.
Bury Relics 0 – 0 Corinthians

In summary, it was a good and strong performance by the Relics team. Everyone played their part and a clean sheet on the day was evidence that Bury were resolute all over the team. Goals are hard to come by in this league, and it was a cool penalty by Gerry and a wonder goal by Eric, that gave Relics an 8 point haul on the day. Well done to Relics and Staff for a good days football. All to play for in the final December fixtures.
Report by Dr. John.

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