HT: 1-0
West Riding County FA Veterans League: Bradford League Division Two:
Winter / Spring Season 2023,
30th January 2023
Venue: Marley Activities and Coaching Centre, Keighley
GOALS:
Chee (2)
ASSISTS:
Spanner
Jonno / Adam Dennis
Bramhope MFC Vets Team Line Up:
GK: Alex
LB: Stu
CB: Nicolson (c)
CB: Jonno
RB: Joey
LW: Joyce (me)
CM: Bourne
CM: Adam Dennis
CM: Kundi
RW: Spanner
CFW: Chee
Roll On Subs:
CM: Pugh
CM: Hugh
*Goach (vc) - side-line coach due to injury
The first game of the Division 2 Winter / Spring season saw a 13 man strong squad assembled by Bramhope, also featuring two vets debutants, Bourne and Pugh, both playing in midfield. Unfortunately despite a good debut display by Bourne in midfield early on, he had pulled his hamstring and was forced to leave the game early. Pugh also produced an impressive debut, distributing some great passes through midfield linking well with Adam and Kundi.
Bramhope saw themselves under the cosh early from Thackley who started the game very confident coming from the top division and were dominating possession pinning Bramhope back who were forced to snuff out danger at the back and combat attacks by Thackley in midfield.
However, despite the early pressure and possession by Thackley, which included a couple of corners and a free kick, Bramhope's back-line of Stu, Nicolson, Jonno and Joey stood firm and kept battling to keep out an early goal. Thackley's early pressure also saw goalkeeper Alex produce several saves and Thackley also missed two great chances right in front of goal but the ball sailed over the bar both times.
Despite the early onslaught from Thackley, slowly but surely Bramhope took a grip of the game after weathering the storm and the warning signs were there for Thackley that Bramhope were dangerous on the counter attack.
After some threatening play down the right hand side through midfield with Spanner and Adam Dennis, the warning was sent.
Moments later, after some neat passing between both opposite wingers Joyce and Spanner out side the box, it fell to Chee, who stunned Thackley with a driving effort from just outside the box which slipped under their 'keeper. Chee, playing upfront for Bramhope for the first time rather than in midfield was having some success in the forward area.
Thackley seemed to be bewildered after their heavy early pressure led to them finding themselves a goal down and suddenly chasing the game. Bramhope built confidence from this and several blistering attacks involving creativity from Kundi, speed from wingers Joyce and Spanner and the movement of Chee was causing the Thackley defence to be stretched. 1-0 at half time to Bramhope.
However, Bramhope wanted this season opener victory and the equaliser woke Bramhope up and for 10 to 15 minutes dominated the game with blistering attacks and counter attacks out wide. Midfielders Kundi, Adam and Hugh were creating attacks from the middle and shifting the ball out the the flanks.
Several counter attacks down the left hand side saw winger Joyce link well with left back Stu who was overlapping and Joyce fired over several through balls over the top to Chee who was on fire and came close to securing the lead again on several occasions. Joyce also put Stu through for an effort on goal. Kundi also had efforts on goal after great link up play from debutant Pugh and seasoned midfielder Hugh.
Despite some great attacking play, Bramhope could not make kit count and Thackley were also pushing and probing and had two great chances in the last 10 minutes however assured goalkeeper Alex had efforts covered and we saw decisive tackles made by Nicolson at centre back and Joey at right back.
Late on Joey put some quality crosses in the box from the right back position to follow his great end of season form and Chee came close to securing the win again. Spanner was also a constant threat down the right and with literally 30 seconds to go, a clearing ball from in form centre back Jonno saw midfielder Adam guide the ball over the top for Chee to latch onto the ball just to the right of the 'keeper who had no choice but to commit and Chee calmly slotted the ball home post and in to seal a last minute victory right at the death and to cap it off he celebrated with the famous Cristiano Ronaldo SIU celebration with Joyce, Kundi and Spanner sprinting over to high five the match winner.
Brilliant performance by Bramhope who for a portion of the night sat top of the new season table. Next up Bramhope face Menston Juniors Vets at the same ground a week on Monday in what could be a tough game after a 2-2 draw with them last season during the Winter 2022/23 term, however, we did thrash them 3-0 in our first ever league game back in the Summer 2022 season.
I am running a half marathon two days before the next game so hoping my legs are in good shape, haha.
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