GK: Jonny Nicolson (c)
LB: Stu
CB: Dougie
CB: Jonno
RB: Hugh
LW: Joyce (me)
CM: Kundi
CM: Goach (vc)
RW: Spanner
FW / AM: Kiddy
ST: Pete / Dorey
Roll On Subs:
CM: Alex (Vets debut)
FW: Dorey
HT: 1-1
West Riding County FA Veterans League: Bradford League Division Two:
Winter Season 2022-2023
Venue: St Mary's School, Menston, Ilkley
GOALS:
Kiddy (pen)
Jonno
ASSISTS:
Dorey / Joyce
Kiddy (corner)
On a misty Autumn November night, we faced Menston Juniors Vets, who were the first team we played when we entered the summer season earlier this year. On that day, we were 3-0 up by half time after some superb counter attacks and although we were under pressure in the second half, we held strong at the back and kept that clean sheet for our goalkeeper Nicolson.
Last night however, it was a much closer affair after a 2 all draw which saw a strong start by Bramhope in the first half and a strong finish to the game.
Early on we looked threatening out wide on both flanks with some nice inter play and runs out wide but we failed to find that clear chance. We also produced some lovely inventive play between midfielders Kundi and Kiddy to cause more problems through the middle.
Menston, very much like the first time we played them last season looked vulnerable to the counter attack style but we just couldn't find those killer passes early on although it felt like it would only be a matter of time.
Striker Pete made some nicely timed darting runs in behind after some great balls across from Spanner on the right-hand side and Menston were being stretched. We also saw some brilliantly shifted balls across midfield by Goach early on to keep play ticking over.
Then 15 minutes into the game we found our breakthrough. It all started after some possession play at the back between our centre backs which spread to Stu at left back who shifted the ball out wide to me and I took Menston's winger on with a shimmy to the left and I saw Dorey make a beautifully timed run in behind towards the middle so I lifted it around their defensive line with my left foot for Dorey to run onto in the box and as he touched the ball he was taken out recklessly inside the penalty box and boom - referee calls to the spot.
Kiddy took the penalty and calmly slotted the ball home to the top right corner, brilliant finish and Bramhope were 1 nil up.
We then saw Alex come on and make his debut for Bramhope Vets and made an instant impact at centre mid with some great tackles and link up play.
We continued to produce some dominant play from midfield and we were largely solid at the back with assured performances by Hugh, Dougie, Jonno and Stu with goalkeeper Nicolson communicating well with our defensive line.
However, during the last 10 minutes of the first half we did begin to allow Menston some threatening attacks and a mis-timed cross from the right hand side, Menston scored a fluke goal that somehow dipped over goalkeeper Nicolson at the far left hand side. It was not anything anyone could have helped, it looked to be sailing out for a goal kick and it somehow curled in at the last moment.
We went into the break at 1-1 so we approached the second half as if it was 0-0. It was an end to end start to the half. We looked to catch them on the counter attack but every time we looked for the runs, Menston were constantly calling for off-side. We particularly produced some positive play down the right flank early in the half with Kiddy and Spanner linking well and we had some great defence to attack link up play by Kundi.
However, mid-way through the half Menston got a hold of the game for a spell and were spreading the play well and playing some good football through the middle. Defensively we were snuffing them out and Nicolson pounced on any loose balls. But eventually the pressure began to tell and after earning several corners mid-way through the half, Menston found the goal they were looking for.
It was a dangerous cross and one of their midfielders headed the ball home and despite my best efforts defending on the line, the ball hit the top of my head when I leaped up on the goal line but I couldn't stop it hitting the roof of the net.
There was a question of a foul on one of our defenders during Menston's headed effort which led to the goal, however, the referee was not interested.
Instead of allowing our heads to drop we fought back and we played some inventive football through midfield to look for that equaliser. Goach went through on goal following a superb through ball from midfield and he timed his run to perfection only for the keeper to send his effort over the bar for a corner.
After several late corners in which we saw our goalie, Nicolson run up for a corner to try and earn some late glory, we finally earned the equaliser we were looking for. A great cross from Kiddy's corner caused mayhem in the box and it fell to the path of centre back Jonno who hit the ball sweet on the volley to smash the ball home - a spectacular goal.
We celebrated and knew that we saved the game after there was only one minute left of play.
All in all, it turned out to be a solid result. Despite a dominant start in the first half taking the lead and then falling 2-1 behind in the second half, to pull it back late on and finish strongly, it was a good result and Menston are a decent outfit as well.
Next up we have Bradford Moor YSA Vets, a team we have not played yet.
Frustratingly it looks as though an old reoccurring injury of mine has come back. I'm hoping I can manage it so it becomes just a niggle but I'm not convinced of that. My left Achilles which I've had problems with since my early 30s. I was thinking it was too good to be true that neither of my Achilles or my calves had so far flared up since my football comeback.
I was feeling little twinges in my left Achilles all last week after the vets charity game on the grass pitch at Bramhope against Old Headingley Vets but I didn't think much of it but looking back maybe the heavy grass triggered it? Legs are shot to bits in my late 30s, haha.
I could feel it more as the game wore on last night and was getting sharp pains when I was sprinting in the second half but it wasn't until when I got home and especially this morning where every time I walk my Achilles has a stiff pain.
It's just an injury that needs to be managed before it gets worse and too painful, it certainly won't help my marathon training. The injury is Achilles tendinopathy, it's basically an overuse injury.
My plan is I will rest it for a week, get on the bike outdoors to keep ticking over, less impact on the injury and then I have a half marathon in a couple of weeks and vets football again so I'll hopefully manage it until then and take it from there and touch wood I won't miss any games from it and it'll go down a s a niggle rather than an injury.
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