A contingent of the Stripes squad asked the match reporter to use the word ‘Entertaining’ as the headline to define today’s performance, one cynic replied “It was certainly entertaining but will never replace football”. On a day when a slightly depleted Stripes squad due to holidays and injuries faced atrocious weather conditions, improving opponents and controversial refereeing decisions the team performed well and supplied some entertaining moments of football.
11th June 2026 at Heywood Sports Centre rather than a pleasant sunny day for the GMWF over 60’s latest league outing the weather produced continuous rain and damp miserable conditions, the car park was so flooded that someone calling himself Noah appeared to be building an Ark.
Manager: Pat Fitzgerald. Squad: Keith Gillespie (GK) (C), Mark Thomas, Mark Evans, Steve Hassal, Ken Bond, Andy Richardson, Iain Dawson
First Game against North Manchester WFC, Sub KenBo
Relics: 8 shots with 4 on target. North Mcr: 3 shots with 2 on target. Final Score 1 – 0
Bury started the game against a rapidly improving North Manchester side whose quality of passing, movement off the ball and game management was noticeably better than previous meetings, however, the Relics experience and overall knowhow started to show dividends, an early shot from Iain easily saved by the keeper. Iain then produced a good pass to MarkE who shot narrowly wide. The Relics continued to pick up the pace and quality passing released MarkE for 2 more shots on target, unfortunately both fell to his weaker foot and were easily saved by the keeper, then followed a shot from Andy wide of the target. A quick break from the back again produced another opportunity for MarkE whose shot on target was saved. The highlight of the game came towards the end, Andy was given the ball just outside the box, surrounded by defenders with no obvious options he managed to guide the ball with the outside of his right foot into the corner of the net, goal. Any threats to the Relics goal were efficiently managed by Steve and MarkT at the back protecting Keith’s goal and they got forward to support teammates whenever the opportunity arose. Final Score 1 – 0, a deserved victory
Second Game Preston NE Senior Whites. Sub MarkE
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Relics: 1 shot on target. PNE Senior Whites 8 shots 4 on target Final Score 0 – 0
What a contrast to the previous match, this time against a tall, efficient PNE side who are surprisingly languishing in the bottom 3 of the league. PNE were on the front foot for the majority of the game, Keith was on top form making saves that looked to be certain goals and received plaudits from the opposition at the final whistle. The Relics were under a lot of pressure, Manager Pat replaced Andy with MarkE to strengthen the midfield. The stats really do reflect the game, however the Relics almost stole all 3 points when a late shot from Iain was well saved by the Neville Southall lookalike in the PNE goal. Final score 0 – 0. As a whole the team earned a point through very hard work against tough opposition.
Third Game Wakefield Wanderers Whites. Sub Ste
Relics: 3 shots all on target. Wakefield : 6 shots 4 on target. Final Score 2 – 2
If the stats based on shots reflected the previous game they certainly didn’t in this one. The Relics were playing some good football, KenBo marshalling the opposition’s tricky centre forward well restricting him to speculative shots. The Relics started on the front foot, a break down the right releasing MarkE to cleverly put a right foot shot past the keeper, goal. With the Bury side well in control the referee chose to make controversial decisions awarding Wakefield 3 recordable free kicks, whilst the opposition were happy to accept them their officials on the side seemed somewhat surprised by them, aware of the threat of a penalty the Relics didn’t panic and pressed on trying to produce a 2nd and almost certain winning second goal, perhaps with too much enthusiasm they gave away a fourth offence, penalty to Wakefield which went in from under the bar despite Keith’s efforts to save it. Despite the disappointment the Relics continued to play well, there was a great move down the right by MarkT and he found Andy at the edge of the box who turned and casually slotted the ball past the keeper, goal. With the game all but over a turn and speculative shot by a Wakefield forward crept into the Bury net, it’s difficult to express the disappointment we all felt. Final score 2 – 2 played well, deserved all 3 points
Fourth Game: Rochdale AFC Striders. Sub KenB
Relics: 3 shots all on target. Rochdale : 7 shots 3 on target. Final Score 2 – 0
End to end stuff, although Rochdale managed more shots only one really threatened the Bury goal and as ever it was well saved by Keith, MarkT and Ste not allowing any real space. Despite the disappointment of conceding late in the previous game the Relics didn’t let it get to them and once again set off at a pace controlling the game defending well and looking dangerous in attack. Early in the game a good passing move once again found MarkE free, his well placed shot found the net, goal. Working well as a team covering for each other the Relics didn’t really allow the opposition back into the game. A fluent Bury move found Andy who released Iain who placed a shot on target past the keeper, goal. Iain then asked to be subbed straight away, after working tirelessly and old injury started to flare, KenBo came on as a replacement and fell straight into the tempo of the game. Final score 2 – 0, a thoroughly deserved win
Full marks to the players who worked hard in horrible conditions, KenB later thanked Pat for standing in as manager, Pat’s calm analytical skills and after match talks were appreciated by the squad and he took difficult decisions when needed. The Manager’s summary “Thanks to everyone today. Some great football in awful weather. Some classy goals and excellent goalkeeping” Report by NevK
Bury Relics 