Match Report
The prospect of a Friday night game under the flood lights of Burscough’s new 4G pitch didn’t appeal to many of the Vets A, as the Ramblers turned up with a bare 11 to face Rich France’s Town Green. The lure of a couple of pints in Ormskirk post game, with the chance of bumping into the prospective Teachers of Tomorrow in Town was enough to put many off – Bagpuss’s Pollensa chat obviously still weighing heavy on the minds of a few. Step up the debutante John Duffy.
The game started at a frantic pace with the Ramblers struggling to string a pass together and Town Green by far the better team. This onslaught of pressure resulted in an early goal for Town Green – fully deserved at that point. This seemed to give the Ramblers the kick up the arse they needed, where movement and passing began to take place with more regularity and effect. Part way through the first half Deano was put in down the right wing in a race to the by-line with Rich France, only to pull up with a hamstring problem. Without any subs the Ramblers asked/demanded their loaned youth player at the heart of Town Green’s midfield be transferred back where he belongs in blue and yellow.
The Ramblers grew further into the game with some slick passing and movement, building from the back and moving the ball swiftly from side to side to create space. We’ve only been talking about it for months and finally it seemed to click. Coley was superb at left back and the newly introduced youthful right midfielder had Town Green worried. Shortly after half time, the Ramblers’ good play resulted in their first goal from the lanky striker, a long-range dipping shot from about 30 yards out that lobbed Town Green’s 5”7’ keeper. Not long after, a prolonged period of Ramblers’ pressure yielded another goal to take a well-deserved lead. A great team goal with 8 or 9 passes in the build-up, resulting in the ball being crossed from the right, enabled a smart turn on the penalty spot and neat finish into the left corner from Jordan for his second of the evening.
Town Green produced some prolonged pressure and from a corner in the last 5 minutes, a long ball from the right found an unmarked Town Green player at the back post to slot home.
Both teams pressed forward and with 5 mins to go the young Wolf of Old Hall Street apprentice kicked the Town Green centre back in the shin and went down in the penalty area. The referee hadn’t got many calls right all evening and he wasn’t going to break form now, and he pointed to the spot, Ramblers’ penalty. Jordan stepped up to cement his hat-trick and save the gane with what would have been his easiest attempt all evening. Not one of Jordan’s best penalties with the keeper making the save to his left. The final whilst went not long after – the Ramblers’ dejected but encouraged by the quality of their play at times.
A select few followed on to the commercial estate ‘hidden gem of Ormskirk’ where only the ceiling was lower than its kerb appeal. It did turn out to be a hidden gem though, with 5 star pizza and chips laid on with good ale and chatter. A re-match and a chance for revenge will be offing for sure.