Guess Who’s Back? Back Again…
The Vets travelled to Birstall to face Old Boys, an opposition we hadn’t played before.
A strong squad of 16 welcomed new signings Jacko and Vish for their competitive debuts, while Stephens and Jack were also looking to get some valuable minutes after injury. We thought we had another new signing when an Eminem lookalike appeared, but it turned out to be Stu… not Stan! 🎤
The Vets started brightly and looked dangerous in the early stages, with Stu getting plenty of the ball. However, our final pass lacked a little accuracy and Birstall Old Boys gradually grew into the game. Jim didn’t have too much to do in goal, but neither did the opposition keeper, although he did produce a good save to push Carl’s effort around the post.
Matt came on to replace the energetic Dave Bell, who was starting to look a little jaded after returning from the city that never sleeps the night before!
At half time, the message was simple: remain patient and try not to get bored doing the right things.
Vish came on in central midfield and Matchett moved into left back, with both making an immediate impact after the restart.
Bosworth took the lead quickly. Vish intercepted in midfield and drove forward into space before playing the ball into Scott. He cut inside and curled a left-footed effort underneath the keeper to make it 1-0.
Moments later, Scott was played through again and once more cut inside from the left, but this time the keeper made a good save. We were not sure if Daniel was dancing on the edge of the six yard box as he was waving his arms at Scott, although we think he may have wanted the ball!
The pressure continued to build, with a succession of corners causing problems for the Birstall defence. The ball fell kindly to Hutch, but he couldn’t get the connection he wanted, while a header from Dicko came agonisingly close.
At the other end, Jacko and Canavan dealt comfortably with anything that came their way, while Matchett was getting forward well and Lee continued to provide Matt with an option on the ball.
Canavan then got himself on the scoresheet with what can only be described as an “up and under” from inside his own half which bounced over the keeper.
Some may call it a clearance.
Others may question the precision required to launch the ball into orbit, land it perfectly in front of the keeper and add enough spin to take it over him. We’ll let you decide. 🚀
Two quickly became three when Jack poked a ball through to Matt, who raced through on goal and smashed his finish into the bottom corner.
Stephens then returned to the action and, in typical fashion, immediately started upsetting defenders with his all-action style. He soon found himself on the scoresheet too. A good passage of play saw Vish find Stephens, who played in the overlapping Matchett. His cut-back eventually found Stephens again and, after the first attempt was blocked, he bundled the ball home at the second attempt.
It was pretty much one-way traffic by this point.
Dave Bell returned to the pitch and hit the jackpot after being played through by Stephens, calmly placing the ball underneath the keeper to make it five.
He would have been disappointed not to add a second shortly afterwards when presented with a similar opportunity, but his effort went wide after he connected with considerably more floor than football!
The final goal came from Player of the Match Vish. He intercepted the ball in midfield before unleashing a strike from distance that flew into the net to make it 6-0. At this point Stan had been waving his flag frantically on the other side of the pitch, we were not sure if he was trying to land a plane or get someone’s attention as Chad and Jono Bracknell could not find Stan. It appeared the Gaffers did as the song goes “Lose Yourself”… in the Six Goal Thriller.
A great finish and a fitting way to cap off a lively second half.
A convincing 6-0 victory for the Vets. It could have been even more, but after a patient first half, the lads showed good discipline, moved the ball well and took control of the game after the break.
⚽️ Goals: Scott, Canavan, Matt, Stephens, Dave Bell, Vish
⭐ Player of the Match: Vish
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