It was second versus third and the Vets had a lot to celebrate at the end of the game, new balls, new jackets and 3 points, it truly was party time with the boom box playing out Cheri Cheri Lady. Rumours of Manager Eddy doing the Worm was unfounded, maybe he’s saving that one for Presentation.

Each week there is an eager look to see results as the Vets battle for a place in the top three however with no European competition there is only one focus and that’s can we keep the pressure on Syston and take the top spot, they have two tough games left and we have three, as Eddy says each week they are all cup finals.

The Vets played some decent stuff today, well rested after the disappointment of dropping two points last time out which could prove a pivotal moment once the final ball is kicked, nonetheless we want to win it all! Kudos to Eddy, Griff and Scott who have got it right on the field supported by Chad off it, it’s been a positive season and the lads are really enjoying it.

However this week both Scott and Griff were away, rumours of spa day for the pair were untrue, Scott had a family commitment in Nottingham, apparently he was seen with his Strava on running down the M1 clocking up those miles and Griff had to work, my man, the party piece, the greatest showman had to put on his clown shoes and paint his nose red for a kids party! Ronald McDonald does not rest even on a Saturday!

The game got underway, the lads were pumped still from the hard house, Stephens maybe a little too much as he gave away 3 fouls in ten seconds. It has to be said for 35 + somethings, these sides were full of energy and played good football. One thing Eddy does well with his team is flexibility, players dropping into new positions with ease, new formations. Watching Pep Edwardiola at work was a joy.

The Vets were getting a lot of joy down the right as Robinho who opted for the Pink Dazzlers was giving their full back number 99 “The Flake” a torrid time. Unfortunately we were being let down by our final ball. Sammon was moving like he did in his early 20’s chasing down loose balls and dropping some big block tackles, closely marked his hold up play was good bringing others into play.

Eventually the Vets did break through on goal, a good shot by was saved brilliantly by the Keeper, not once but twice as Robinho looked destined to score, it was a superb piece of goalkeeping, shouts from the subs comparing him to Brazilian legend Taffarel. Moments later that comparison continued to be true as he couldn’t deal with a high ball into the box, it looked like he fouled Stephens who got up and finished with an overhead volley only for the referee to rule it out for a foul on the goalkeeper. Stephens was incensed and rightly so, it was either a penalty or a goal. Sadly the goalkeeper had to leave the field as he dislocated his shoulder after landing awkwardly.

Bosworth scored shortly after, Carl who was playing wide left hit a shot which seemed to take a deflection and left the goalkeeper routed to the spot. It was a good spell for Bosworth as they were keen to test the new goalkeeper.

In the second half, it was evident the game would change from the opposition after their wind assisted first half, the play would be shorter from them so we needed to play a little higher and close the space between the lines. Some really good football from Bosworth who were getting joy out wide with Neil and Matt getting up and down but the chances were not being converted. The midfield of Dan, Chris and Hutch were recycling the ball well.

A second goal came which took a little pressure off as Stephens finished high into the goal looping the ball over the keeper. Moments later, the referee penalised Stephens for hurting number 99’s “The Flake” hands as he seemed to grab the Bosworth player round the neck, we took the decision to take him off and keep 11 players on the field.

Juggy added a quick third when he got on the end of a through ball and chipped the ball to the far post for it to nestle into the far corner. This was a welcome goal as Sparta had just had two good chances after finding gaps either side of our defence, Eddy changed formation to tighten up and it was plain sailing from there on in. Apart from those chances our defence was water tight today, Jono, Caravan and Dicko winning every ball in the air and dominating their surroundings.

Ben made a run with the ball dancing through several Sparta players and only getting stopped by the last man, we’ve not seen feet like that since watching Strictly on a Saturday evening and some good football found Stu right side of the goal but his legs disappeared and next we knew he was picking himself up off the floor. Hutch earned himself a well deserved rest, after being touch and go for the game, he played 65 minutes and then proceeded to run laps of the pitch to top up his mileage.

The final whistle went and the game finished 3-0 to Bosworth, every player put in a performance today from the starting eleven to the five subs. Bozzy ball was well and truly back!

AFC Market Bosworth

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