We were originally to be called Gateway FC but decided to affiliate with Bramhope FC as their Veterans team instead. We play in the FA West Riding County affiliated Veterans Bradford League Division Three.
Our first game was against Menston Juniors Vets and we approached the game without any pressure. A lot of us have not played for a few years now competitively and a lot of us don’t know eachother or haven’t met before so we ensured we started with a good shape and formation but most of all just to enjoy it and get to know eachother and how we all play together.
The pre line up was ordered by Jonny as:
GK: Jonny Nicolson
RB: Joey. CB: Jonno. CB: Hugh. LB: Stu
RW: Clarke. CM: Heath. CM: Adam. LW: Joycey (me)
FW: Spanner. FW: Pete
Roll On Subs:
Goach
Score line:
Bramhope FC Vets 3 - 0 Menston Juniors Vets
Goals:
Spanner (1)
Clarke (1)
Joyce (1)
Assists:
Joyce / keeper (1)
Hugh (1)
Goach (1)
GK: CLEAN SHEET: Jonny Nicolson (1)
We couldn’t have got off to a more perfect start against a side that seemed a pretty handy outfit in the end despite the result. Within the first 5 minutes we took the lead, a move from the middle started by an Adam Dennis pass led to a short back heel from me that put Spanner through on goal and the keeper went to clear the ball but hit it at Spanner’s leg and it fired straight into the net - 1 nil to us.
The second goal we had built some good play from a counter attack, which seemed to be our strength early on in the game and it was a wonderful finish taken by James Clarke, a player I used to play in the same 5 a side team with many years ago. Hugh was the assist provider.
Then we stunned Menston with taking a 3-0 lead after a sublimely weighted ball through the middle of the defence by Goach and I ran in behind the defence from the left to time the run and took it on the outside of my right foot, the keeper came diving out to close me down so I side foot dinked it just over the keeper in time to hit the back of the next, I was buzzing with it.
Defensively we were very organised and solid at the back throughout the whole first half, it was a very good team display.
The second half we did begin to tire as a collective team late on and running up and down the wing definitely started taking its toll on me too. Heath hit a wonderful strike in the second half that bounced off the crossbar following my corner (see in the video below), however I have to admit I was a bit rusty on the old corners haha. We played together as a team and battled hard, we held on to prevent them pulling a goal back late on, a well deserved win. Jonny Nicolson was also superb in goal with a clean sheet and he’s not a regular goalkeeper either, top man.
All in all, it was a great game and a great debut win for us all. Next up in two weeks we play Addington who lost 5-1 to former champions Baildon. For me personally I was just buzzing to be back playing again and thankfully my calves did not tear, which I have had problems with the last couple of years. I’m running the Ilkley Half Marathon race the day before the next game so hoping my legs will power through haha.
Well played lads, bring on the next game.
Below is a short video from my You Tube Channel (RJ Sports TV - rjworldsportsnews) after my cousin Michael and his team coach and my mate Lewis came to watch me play. My cousin Michael and Lewis both run and coach the recently re-branded Armley Amateurs club.
INSTAGRAM: @joycinho
TWITTER: @rjsports1 @joycinho @rjrugbyleague
SPIRITUAL TWITTER: @JoyceParanormal