Match Report
With Warren’s recent return to form earning a call up to the seconds, and Harthan’s dip bringing relegation to the thirds, the late withdrawal of the Cheshire Set left the Vets with a bare eleven to travel to the Geoffrey Hughes Memorial Ground. Of those that travelled, two had new kit. Killen had some fancy all black Adidas booties that this season’s form warranted, the skipper a new glove bag that his Mum got for his 51st birthday but looked more like something he should have for his 15th.
The new bag inspired a full length diving save early on, but soon after sloppy defending led to an early set back. The paucity of numbers (and only that) had pushed Bodey into midfield, his response to conceding a goal was to play a purposeful pass to Killen, whose beautifully weighted pass put Eddie Jones into a great position. He did not waste it and smashed the equaliser into the roof of the net.
Then came a poignant moment, two Galactico greats exchanging treatment table stories on the touchline, McGuckin and Ritchie musing on past glories. It was great to see Ritchie there, but disappointing to hear how long it will be before he can start giving easy penalty save opportunities again.
Chester, a late call up and a late arrival, was a little below par early on but announced himself with a great run and perfect cross to Mornington. With an empty net at his mercy, he teased by almost missing. But only almost.
Tesco oranges quickly finished off, the game was quickly put to bed after the break. First Killen’s fancy booties played in Mornington, who made a complete hash of the chance but did very well with the rebound to make it 3-1. Then the goal of the game arrived. Power kicked the ball 40 yards (actually true) to Mornington’s feet. He controlled, laid off to Jones and headed off down the wing. Jones found him, he crossed to Chester who, now well into his stride, finished with aplomb.
With twenty minutes left, the ever excellent Johnny Morris made way for McGuckin’s unexpected but very welcome first appearance since the 10th November. This was a much more successful return from injury, though what he missed was Morris’s deadly finishing past Seb on the touchline. It’s tough love at the JM Football Academy.
This report cannot finish without commenting on a rare 90 minutes for the most excellent Bagley, and an almost as rare 90 from Chester. A good win, this.