Matches played November 5th 2025
The over 70s fixtures mean that Relics get to watch the first games that kick-off on a fixture day. Incidentally, it was perfect playing conditions today, with no wind nor rain, and a comfortable temperature. Corinthians had just hit the post on the far pitch, when I learned an interesting fact; Eddy, our keeper has a 100% penalty taking record, he has always scored and never missed. Apparently, this record will be held forever more, since after his first penalty, he learnt from the Ref, that had the keeper saved it, it would have been a penalty to the opposition because he was out of his area. Well done, Eddy, on a perfect 100% conversion rate; don’t think Matt L’tissier was that good.
The over 70s league was tightly poised after the last fixtures, with Bury Relics just a single point behind leaders Manchester Corinthians. The first game was a six-pointer against the foresaid top of the league. Corinthians had just played, so were reaching their “power-band” (motorcycle terminology) and Bury had to get warmed up and into the game.
Bury Relics vs. Manchester Corinthians
As you would expect, this was a hard fought and competitive match, with Corinthians coming out on top, with a 2-1 victory. The first key moment was probably made by “the pass of the month” by the Corinthians defender. Bury Relics had just been on the attack but lost possession. The defender, in a split second, fired a hard and low pass up to their striker, who was ahead of the last Bury defender. It was not bad marking as Relics were just in possession until a moment ago, and the pass was so quick and accurate. The striker was now on the edge of the box, facing Eddy and considering his finishing options. In a frantic moment of panic, the defender has to do something, who is now behind the striker, and sticks a toe out between the legs of the attacker, to poke the ball back to Eddy. In walking football that is always a foul but added to this, it was a one-on-one situation with the keeper, and hence a penalty for denying a goal scoring chance. Eddy does well to save most penalties and was well set for this one. Eddy goes the right way but the penalty was emphatic, with power and a lofted trajectory, so the ball evaded the palms of safe hands Eddy. 1-0 to Corinthians. Bury then played some great passing football to get the ball forward, which led to the second key moment. Graham received the ball, in front of 2 Corinthians defenders, and activated his “Hyperspace Button” (remember the arcade game Defender), and ghosted past 2 bemused defenders with the ball, as if they in a trance, to be one-on-one vs. their keeper. Graham keeps his composure to smartly finish passed a diving keeper. Goal!!! It was a terrific and skilful goal; Bury Relics are back in it, 1 each. However, as the game progressed, Corinthians started to press for a winner with many shots, most of them blocked by good Relics defending or saved by Eddy. One of these led to a head height free-kick and from it, whilst there were 2 or 3 Relics defenders goal side of the ball, a quick pass to the side and to be fair, a super quality strike, the ball flew past the defenders, past an unsighted Eddy and into the net. In my small opinion, no defending nor keeping issues, it was a long way and a tremendous hit of the ball. This was the final key moment and a sucker punch that gave Corinthians victory and moved them 4 points clear at the top of the league. But not all was lost, there were 3 more games on the day, to give Relics the opportunity to close the gap, and now they were nearing their “Power Band”.
Result; Bury Relics 1 – 2 Manchester Corinthians
Bury Relics vs. Tameside
Loss of voice recordings yet again, led to the filming of the subsequent games; next time will be filming from the start. To see the highlights of the game that includes Graham’s match winning penalty, click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics 1 – 0 Tameside
Bury Relics vs. Rochdale
To see the highlights of this game, that includes a superb pass from John W and a silky finish from Gerry to win the game, click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Result; Bury Relics 1 – 0 Rochdale
Bury Relics vs. Winstanley
To see the highlights of the game , click-here.
To watch the entire match, click-here.
Bury Relics should be the happier team from this draw. Neither team had crystal clear-cut chances but Winstanley had Eddy working more than Bury worked his opposite number. A good game of passing football from both teams.
Result; Bury Relics 0 – 0 Winstanley
Concentration and determination, coupled with quality football, pulled Bury Relics over 70s to the top of their league. After the first game, heads could have dropped but no, fires burned deep inside of players, fans and management, and it was no surprise they produced fireworks and moments of magic to accumulate 7 points from the remaining 3 games. I was thinking of getting the sparklers out in celebration. It showed grit and stamina to over turn the 4 point deficit into a 1 point advantage; congratulations Relics on a fabulous day. Fabulous players, with organization and encouragement from staff, plus a sizeable support, all combined to produced a successful day at the office. One set of fixtures to go, and if they do go on to win the league, it will be fully deserved. Go Bury Relics!!
The team consisted Ed (GK), John M (C), Graham, Gerry, John W, Tex, Peter T, Ray and Bob. The man with the clipboard again, with very positive encouragement and picking the teams, was Sir Pat, who was backed up by Keiren and Ken Bug. Supporters included Keith H, Frank, Dr. John, Ken Bon, Andy and others.
Report and vids by Dr. John.
Bury Relics 