Week 1
BRAMHOPE MFC VETS 3-2 SILSDEN WHITESTAR VETS
HT: 3-2
Venue: Marley Stadium, Keighley
Goals:
Kundi (2)
Own goal
Assists:
Chee
Kiddy
Line Up:
GK: Jonny Nicolson
RB: Joey
CB: Jonno
CB: Dougie
LB: Stu
RM: Clarkey
CM: Kundi
CM: Chee
RM: Joycey (me)
AM: Kiddy
FW: Spanner
No Subs
On Monday September 5th we played our first game of the new Winter Season in the FA West Riding Veterans League - Bradford Division Two after a month off season following the end of our Summer Season. It was a highly anticipated start of the season for us, especially sporting our brand new slick black kit that our team-mate Joey sorted for us.
Our first game was to be hosted at Marley Stadium in Keighley, the venue of our last game from the previous season. We originally went into the game with a few subs but due to unforeseen circumstances and injuries we sadly lost a couple of subs on game day so we had bang on 11 players. We also had other key players missing due to holidays and being away.
Kick off was 8pm and it was a muggy night and very humid in the air. The game began at a pretty frantic pace early on and we were looking to get our key central midfielders Chee and Kundi on the ball and look for the runs in behind from Spanner up top and me out on the wide left but we struggled to get that killer chance early on but we threatened several times on goal with good efforts from Spanner, Kiddy and Chee. We also had some early success down the right flank with some good link up play between Clarkey and Kiddy.
However, despite our threatening start, it was Silsden who took first spoils from a free kick, which caught us off guard. However, we kept our cool and responded within minutes. After some nice build up attacking play involving Left Back Stu, me and Spanner, the ball went loose from a defensive deflection and fall to Kundi who slotted the ball home. Then the game was put on its head minutes later when down the right hand side Kiddy put in a brilliant and daunting cross that led to one of Silsden’s defenders heading the ball into his own top corner.
Suddenly we were in full control and we continued to threaten further with some great attacking play. Striker Spanner came close with an effort as did Chee and Kundi again. I also had a cheeky effort just over the bar after taking the ball past one of their defenders who dived in on me. Then minutes later, Kundi scored a brilliant second strike which Chee assisted. We were 3-1 and in control. We had further attacks down both flanks, on the right side by Clarkey linking up well with Kiddy and Chee on the inside and we had several counter attacking moments down the left side involving me, Stu and Spanner. I had a great chance to make it 4-1 after dribbling past three defenders down the left hand side but my chipping effort was just wide of the far post on a tight angle, should have put it away really after doing all the hard stuff.
Defensively we were very sound with Dougie and Jonno in the middle snuffing the opposing lone striker out and Joey and Stu were both on form in the full back positions and were spraying the ball about nicely. However, as Silsden were pushing to pull a goal back late in the second half, they did build some pressure on us which led to several corners, all well covered by us defensively. But Silsden found their shot, a pot shot from well outside the box unfortunately sailed over our goalkeeper and team manager Nicolson who had already made some vital saves. We went into half time 3-2 up but could have been more.
The second half began much like the first half but more controlled. We really had the dominance in possession in the middle of the field through Chee and Kundi. As the game wore on me and Spanner were making more timed runs in behind and we stretched Silsden on several occasions but we just couldn’t find that killer chance to take the game away from Silsden. We had some nervy spells in the later stages of the game including some free kicks and corners to defend but our defensive stronghold of Joey, Jonno, Dougie and Stu with Nicolson in goal all stood firm and snuffed out danger. It was a very good display all in all and loads to build on especially with the clever runs in behind and out wide that began from intelligent passing from midfield.
Next game we should have a heavily bolstered squad with players such as Pete, Goacher, Adam, Mark, Heath, Hugh, Nelson and possibly others back in the fold after several players being unavailable for the first game. Our next game should be at St Mary’s School in Menston.
GOALS:
Kundi - 2
ASSISTS:
Chee - 1
Kiddy – 1
ALL-TIME BRAMHOPE VETS LEADERBOARD:
GOALS:
Kundi – 2
Spanner – 1
Joycey (me) – 1
Jonno – 1
Clarkey – 1
ASSISTS:
Chee – 1
Goacher – 1
Kiddy – 1
Clarkey – 1
Hugh – 1
Joycey (me) – 1
CLEAN SHEETS:
Jonny Nicolson – 1
I felt that I had probably one of my better games especially from an attacking stand point. I was able to run in behind a lot and also use my dribbling skills down the left flank and create space but also did plenty of tracking back too and I feel me and Stu have a good understanding with eachother as well between him at LB and me on the LW. I had 4 shots in total from what I remember, 3 of them coming in the first half. One of them I should have really scored which I was disappointed with. I dribbled past three defenders on the left hand side and did all the hard work but keeper came out and it was a tight angle I tried to chip and bend it round him by the far post but it went wide. I had a good right footed effort that went just over the bar as well after taking one of the centre back on just inside the box and a left footed effort out wide but straight at the keeper. Second half I latched onto a nice cross from Clarkey from the right hand side but couldn’t quite get the connection on it and it went off for a goal kick. I also had several good runs in behind and dribbles down the left in the second half linking up well with Chee, Spanner, Stu and Kundi in particular which I enjoyed but we just couldn’t quite find that killer chance to kill the game off but some promising link up play and something to build on.
I did take a big knock in the first 5 minutes of the first half which was my own fault, took too long and nearly got caught in possession but as I passed it the opposition player clattered by right ankle, which you can see the damage on the photo above. However, the adrenaline pushes you through but feeling it today on my ankle, good job it’s two weeks recovery till next game haha.
I ran in 1:44 which was a 4 minute improvement on my last half marathon at the Ilkley Half Marathon in July. The course was a 4 lapped course and quite hilly and also some trail sections so was tough in parts. I was planning on running it consistently with my pacing but due to the actual course being very undulating, that consistent pacing kind of went out of the window. The race was hosted at Roundhay and I am also running another half marathon race there in October for Huntington’s disease for my friend Simon, so I imagine it could be a similar course or maybe the same. I think next time I will try to stick at a consistent pace and see if that works. My Just Giving Page is at the bottom if you would like to sponsor me?
My cousin Matty also ran his first race since his serious ACL injury so I am very proud of him, he ran the 10k and as did my mate Jonny who also ran the 10k after getting back into his running again.
http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Joyce-Run-Yorkshire-2022
I also have my Rob Burrow Leeds Hospitals Charity MND page too which is for the build up for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023:
http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Joyce-RobBurrow-Leeds-Marathon-2003
Next up is a Virtual Kirkstall Canal Half Marathon Run on Saturday 17th September…
INSTAGRAM: @joycinho
TWITTER: @rjsports1 @joycinho @rjrugbyleague
SPIRITUAL TWITTER: @JoyceParanormal