HT: 2-2
Friendly Fixture
20th March 2023
Venue: Hemsworth Miners Welfare semi-pro 4g pitch, Pontefract
GOALS:
Kyle O'Reilly
Thomas
Zach Utley
Spanner
Jonno
ASSISTS:
Not recorded
Bramhope MFC Vets Team Line Up:
GK: Alex
LB: Joe (Debut)
CB: Dougie
CB: Jonno
RB: Joey
LW: Joyce (me) (vc)
CM: Goach (c)
CM: Hugh
RW: Spanner
FW: Pete
FW: Zach Utley
Roll On Subs:
RW: Danny T
LW: Kyle O'Reilly (Debut)
CM: Pugh
LB: Stu
FW: Thomas (Debut)
The game almost never took place on the night, after it emerged that only moulded boots or plastic studs would be suitable footwear for the state of the art plastic 4th generation pitch and almost half of both teams were wearing rubber astro turf trainer boots or metal studs. Thankfully, the venue had loads of spare moulded boots knocking about so that the game could go ahead as planned.
Scare over and the FA-affiliated referee got the game under way. The game was set at a measured pace early on but it was Bramhope who looked the more threatening in the early stages after midfielders Goach and Hugh took control of the centre mid areas playing some brilliant link up and both Utley and Pete were livewires upfront with runs in behind.
Bramhope threatened on more than one occasion on goal with shots from striker Utley and right winger Spanner within the first 10 minutes.
Transport Police had a strong midfield and were probing at times but could not find that killer pass through the middle whilst Bramhope centre backs Jonno and Dougie were strong early on and assured bringing the ball into midfield.
Joyce had two shots in quick succession saved by the Transport Police goalkeeper from left and right footed efforts. Bramhope also earned a corner. Debutant Joe was impressive from left back on his debut.
However it was the Police who switched the siren on first and scored after a great counter attack. Bramhope struck back almost immediately however after a low driven cross from the right side saw debutant Kyle O'Reilly calmly strike it into the top left hand corner, a beautiful finish.
Then several minutes later saw another Bramhope Vets debutant - Thomas fire one in from the left hand side after good play from Pugh and Hugh in midfield and suddenly Bramhope found themselves 2-1 up. Soon after, Bramhope earned a corner that Danny T took with a brilliant ball in but danger was well defended by the Police.
Bramhope had a difficult spell before half time and the Police were taking a bit of control in midfield, spearheaded by Joyce's old time football friend Heppy from the Police Vets, a skilful operator full of footballing IQ. The Bramhope back line was challenged several times and goalkeeper Alex made 2 or 3 quality saves and both full backs on opposite sides - Stu on the left and Joey on the right were strong and snuffing out the wide outlets of the Police. Stu also put through a superb ball through for Thomas on the left flank.
However, after some pressure the last 5 minutes of the half, the Police Vets found their equaliser despite Bramhope's best efforts to hold on to the lead.
Striker Utley and left winger Joyce linked up well on several occasions. Utley had a shot just wide of the right hand post and Joyce had a close range effort well saved by the keeper from the left side after link up play with Utley.
Bramhope were also called upon defensively on occasions but Jonno and Dougie were settled and strong in the centre back roles.
Pete and Spanner had some nice play on the right hand flank and were unlucky. Then Utley produced a wonderful off the cuff turn outside the box pouncing on a loose ball to fire a shot past the keeper from the left side: 3-2 to Bramhope.
Several minutes later, an unfortunate error in defence saw the Police pounce on a loose ball and finish from inside the box: 3 all.
Bramhope were looking to pull back the lead again however and Spanner managed to fire one in from just outside the box after a slight deflection of fellow player Thomas' back.
At 4-3, Bramhope were looking to seal the win but the Police were never going to give in and had several efforts of their own and Alex was called upon to make some good saves whilst a long range effort skimmed the bar.
With 20 minutes to go, Bramhope brought some fresh legs on and it paid off, with striker Thomas coming close on more than one occasion including an off-side decision.
Moments later Thomas then assisted Jonno who fired in a beautiful long range half volley into the bottom corner to stun the Police outfit and go 5-3 up with 10 minutes to go.
It was a very tough last 10 minutes for Bramhope as the Police kept probing and chasing a goal back. There were last ditch tackles from defenders Dougie and Joey and then again moments later by Stu.
However, despite some outstanding defending from Bramhope, the British Transport Police managed to pull their goal back and it was a tense last few minutes for Bramhope who managed to hold onto the victory.
It was a great spectacle, was very competitive and maybe we can get it on again soon with the British Transport Police Vets?
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