HT: 1-1
West Riding County FA Veterans League: Bradford League Division Two:
Summer Season 2023,
24th July 2023
Venue: St Mary's School, Menston, Ilkley
GOALS:
Aaron
Chee
Pugh
Dorey
ASSISTS:
Chee
Pugh
Goach
Hugh
Bramhope MFC Vets Team Line Up:
GK: Alex
LB: Kershaw
CB: Nicolson (c)
CB: Hugh
RB: Joey
LW: Joyce (me)
CM: Goach (vc)
CM: Pugh
ACM: Chee
RW: Spanner
FW: Dorey
Roll On Subs:
CB: Aaron (vets debut)
Bramhope, who going into the game were short of team confidence despite finishing last season as league runners-up, started the game a little cagey which allowed Thackley to take an early control of the game. Thackley created several semi good chances on goal, however, goalkeeper Alex had a couple of shots on goal covered whilst the starting back four of Joey, skipper Nicolson, Hugh and Kershaw were all called upon and snuffed out any danger from Thackley.
Gradually, Bramhope began to grow into the game with central midfielders Goach and Pugh taking a foothold in midfield and linking up well with Chee through the middle.
Spanner and Dorey both had efforts on goal, whilst an interception by Joyce who played a one-two with striker Dorey saw the ref fail to play advantage after Dorey was fouled when releasing the ball, despite Joyce being through on goal, a bizarre referring decision to not allow advantage.
Bramhope earned a couple of free-kicks which were taken by Spanner, Goach and then Chee but danger was cleared by the Thackley defence.
Then a mistake by Joyce on the left wing saw his misplaced pass intercepted by Thackley who counter attacked and slotted the ball home to take a 1-0 lead against the run of play.
Bramhope however, put their foot on the peddle to push for an equaliser before half time. Kershaw produced some good play from left back down the flank and saw the ball fall to Joyce in the box who forced a corner.
Chee took the corner and put in a delightful and dangerous cross into the 6 yard box which was met by the head of Bramhope Vets debutant Aaron who scored a brilliant and brave headed goal downward, in what was one of his first touches of the game and saw Bramhope go in level at half time.
Then Bramhope's pressure counted and saw Pugh slide the ball from midfield to Chee in the middle who fired a wonderful long range shot from outside the box over the Thackley defence to the top left hand corner. A delightful goal which saw Thackley fume at Chee's Cristiano Ronaldo Siu celebration.
Moments later, Bramhope were 3-1 up after Goach put a brilliant ball over the top of the defence for Pugh who fired a half volley into the top right hand corner with an assured finish.
Thackley were down but not completely out and tried to find a killer chance to pull a goal back and get back into the game. Alex made a great save and Bramhope stood firm at the back producing some great defensive scrambling efforts with both Joey and Kershaw clearing off the line on more than one occasion. Nicolson made a last ditch tackle late on. Debutant Aaron played some great balls to midfield from defence as well and linked up well with captain Nicolson.
Then with only a few minutes to go, Hugh put a great ball out wide down the line for striker Dorey to latch onto who skinned the Thackley full back and drive the ball into the box and slotting the ball past the keeper to seal a brilliant 4-1 victory.
Next up is Baildon Trinity Athletic Vets. We have played them three season's ago last summer, in a one off friendly fixture. We gave them a good game but went down 1-0. Baildon are one of the stronger outfits in this division after being relegated from Division One last season so should be a good competitive game.
We hope to see the return of Pete in the coming weeks after being out with an injury for a few months now who has a charity trial game at the weekend and we also wish Kundi a speedy recovery from his rib injury sustained in the opening game of the season.
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