Bury Relics Over 60 Stripes concluded their Greater Manchester Division 3 Walking Football Autumn league campaign in match week 4. A squad of 8 were selected of Eddy (GK), Ken Bo, Steve M, Mark T, Steve H, Iain, Mark E and Andy. Ken Bug was Manager and numerous supporters, including Tony G, Dave M, Keith B, Gaz, Kev, Pat, Keiran and Frank, were in attendance on a dry and, surprisingly, mild day which saw us begin bottom of the league, 1 point from safety.
First up were Champions elect, Burnley with Andy and Steve H starting on the bench. We started really well, reaping the positive benefits of the pre-session warm up led by the manager and Pat. We were passing neatly from the off and good interplay between the midfield trio of Steve M, Iain and Mark E created an opportunity for centre forward Ken to blast past the post. The Clarets then forced a diving save from Eddy down to his right which showed they are always dangerous on the break but centre back Mark T stuck like glue to their striker for the rest of the match. We were having our best game against a really tough team, keeping the ball well and setting Iain up to have strikes on goal from midfield, the second of which had their keeper diving low to his right to push it round the post. Once we entered the final minute the cries went up of “Take the point!”, “See it out!” and “Keep the ball!” from the sidelines which immediately led to a slip up on our part leaving their nippy playmaker bearing down on Eddy. Our big keeper made himself even bigger to block the shot and preserve the point. A confidence building 0-0 draw.
Next up were Bolton with Ken and Iain starting on the bench. We started where we left off from in the previous match and forced an early corner. The tone was set when Andy demanded the ball, after his good movement found space, and got off a smart shot which sent the keeper low to his left to make an excellent save. The Whites are a very good team in possession and like to work the ball around until they find a man in space to take a shot: and they were next to threaten in this fashion. We replied by piling forward and pinning them back with great passing and shooting on sight. Our confidence was rising and players were calling for the ball, walking the ball forward into open space and we were moving the ball around far quicker than before., 2 shots came from both Steve H and then Steve M driving forward, then Andy and Mark E combined well to set up Mark T which was followed by a great direct move as Eddy threw it up to Andy who laid it off to Steve H who shot just past the post. After winning a free kick, Mark E knocked it in to Andy’s feet who held it up then played Steve M in for a shot which was deflected just past the post. This period of domination concluded with another Mark T shot flashing wide. You can’t keep a good team down forever and Bolton came back fighting with a sustained period of pressure themselves which culminated in a fantastic save from Eddy diving low to his left making a 2 handed catch of a firm shot heading for the bottom corner. We had a couple of breakouts with a great turn and shot from Mark E and a Mark T shot over the bar but Bolton kept pressing and a late shot from them broke Eddy’s little finger to take the shine off an excellent and entertaining 0-0 draw.
Third up were Preston with Mark T and Ken starting on the bench. This was now a virtual Cup Final for relegation with both teams stranded at the bottom of the table equal on points after our 2 draws and their loss and a draw in the first 2 fixtures. Preston came out swinging and had 3 attempts before we got in their half. One went past the post and Eddy made 2 great saves, the second of which came after a deflection. They had us on the ropes, looking like cats on a hot tin roof when we had the ball and the Relics support became even more fearful when Steve M had to limp off with a serious knee injury to be replaced by the long striding Ken but this enforced break in the game brought a change in momentum. Immediately we started coming into the game more and after a superb lay off by Andy, Iain had a one on one with the keeper which he just failed to convert. Now it was Preston’s turn to look nervy in such a high stakes game and a misplaced pass in their own half was seized upon by Andy on the right hand side. He half turned quickly and thundered forward like a raging Tyranosaurus Rex in slow motion, approaching the edge of the D he shaped to shoot but at the last second dragged the ball across the box, leaving the Keeper prostate, and drawing gasps of admiration from the Relics faithful. Moving up on the left was an unmarked Ken who kept ice cool by approaching the D slowly, letting the pass fully exit the box before calmly stroking it along the floor into the middle of an empty net. A game changer moment as we could now keep the ball and probe and they had to double chase the game due to the new As It Stands league table. We saw the game out confidently and indeed could have added to the scoreline when Andy was 1 on 1 after another defensive slip but their goalie made a wonder save after Andy faked again and put him on the floor only to see his lofted shot clawed away. A season defining 1-0 win.
Our final match versus Moston Brook saw Steve M (injured) and Mark E on the bench with us needing a draw to absolutely guarantee safety. The game started evenly with Mark T enjoying his chance of a walk out in midfield having a great forward push finishing with a rasping shot. The Brook replied with a shot which rattled the post and both teams settled into a cagey, possession based match. Then a quite brilliant goal lit up the proceedings: the ball was played up to Andy who held it up well, Iain strode past him on the right and Andy threaded a lovely ball through to him, Iain controlled it first time off the ground, half turning inside at the same time to leave his marker for dead. He moved slightly forward then hit a fierce daisy cutter across the keeper which went in off the inside base of the far post. At 1-0 up we now knew exactly what we had to do – sit in and keep it tight. Moston threw themselves at our defensive wall, expertly marshalled by Steve H, and forced Eddy into numerous saves which he had to palm out as he couldn’t grip the ball with his broken finger. We held out to record a 1-0 win, just about deserved due to the sublimeness of the goal.
Our best day of the season by far, in every aspect with many players having the games of their lives, gaining 8 points which eclipsed the combined 6 from the first 3 matchdays plus our first 2 wins. Once all the scores were in we finished in 4th place, 6 points above Preston and 2 points behind Bolton. The aim of this campaign was survival – so job done. If the squad can continue playing like this then they have a lot to look forward to.
Bury Relics 