29th August 2009
Manse Lane
Knaresborough (1) v Bardsey (3)
Bardsey Line up; (3-5-2) Simpson, Grimston, Mills, Stimpson, Mallory, Toney, Freeman, Bingley, Thompson, Bird, Carry Subs; Bradley, Goldie (80), Womersley (75)
Bardsey approached the game with caution, not only were they visiting the home of last seasons’ league champions but many of the squad were still recovering from their Friday night out with Liam Fray and Keith Flint. Despite the absence of Potter (Injury), Blowers (Holiday), Longfellow (Wedding), Harrison (Ibiza), Miller (Shagging in Ibiza) and Dickinson (Work related incident) the Bardsey side looked strong on paper, especially with the inclusion of new recruit Daniel Stimpson.
Bardsey started strongly and enjoyed the majority of the possession, with the midfield trio of Bingley, Thompson and Freeman controlling the midfield. There early pressure was rewarded after 20 minutes after a fine cross from Toney from the left was met by the right foot of Carry, not the cleanest of strikes from last seasons’ leading marksman but a thoroughly deserved lead. Bardsey continued to control the game forcing the Knaresborough keeper in to a couple of fine stops. Somewhat against the run of play Knaresborough equalised just after the half hour mark. A quickly taken free kick resulted in a delivery from the right hand side being turned in by Bardsey old boy Lazenby. The goal rallied the home side who began to come into the game more. Despite this Bardsey were the side who would take an advantage into half time. Another quality delivery from Toney was met again by the head of Carry this time, who rose highest beating the Knaresborough centre half and goalkeeper to the ball.
The halftime team talk was one of Bradley’s more reserved. Barraclough kept his input to a minimum as he concentrated on some deep breathing and fluid intake. The second half started much the same as the first with Freeman dictating proceedings in the middle of the park. On 65 minutes a corner from the left hand side was flicked on by Thompson at the near post for Mills to chest over the line from close range, 3-1! For the remainder of the game Bardsey sat back and played counter attacking football. The defence and midfield held strong, limiting the home side to few half chances. The final whistle sounded and Bardsey had become the first side to take all three points from the champions this year!
Man of the Match; Freeman and Stimpson
Next fixture; Pool (a), 12th September 2009, Arthington Lane
19th September 2009
Keswick Lane
Bardsey (4) v Otley (1)
Bardsey Line up; (3-5-2) Smith, Mallory, Ward, Stimpson, Toney, Womersley, Freeman, Longfellow, Miller, Dickinson, Connolly Subs; Bradley (80), Bingley (75), Harrison (70)
Much of the pre-match talk was not about missing recruits; Thompson (Suspension), Carry (Suspension), Toney (Suspension), Blowers (Suspension), Grimston (?), Potter (Injury) or even about the return of The Ginger Prince (Dickinson), it was dominated by the speculation of how Connolly had managed to butter himself into the jeans he had arrived in.
Bardsey looked sluggish as Otley came out of the blocks quickly. Otley used the ball well and spells of incisive passing resulted in a number of early chances. It was not long before one of those chances was taken, some quick feet and a pull back from the by-line by Otley’s left winger was met by Waite to tap in from close range. Otley continued to press and Bardsey might have found themselves two down but for the width of their crossbar. After 20 minutes Bardsey began to find their feet. Connolly and Miller had opportunities to equalise before Dickinson found the bottom corner having cut in from the left hand side of the box. It was not long before Dickinson had his and his side’s second, lashing home from inside the penalty spot. Bardsey piled on the pressure and the chances continued to flow, Longfellow and Miller again unable to convert. Otley looked a completely different outfit to the side that had dominated the first 20 minutes. The third goal arrived shortly before half time and it was a bit special! A long kick up field from Smith was brought under control by a sublime first touch from Dickinson, one touch out of his feet and a curling right footed strike into the top corner.
Despite Dickinson’s wonder goal the highlight of the game came immediately after half time. Bardsey’s first attack found Womersley in the opponent’s box. Unchallenged Wowersley went down like a felled giant redwood landing flat on his face, much to the delight of Bingley and Toney from the far side of the pitch. Bardsey controlled the second half and Otley will be happy the score was not more. Bardsey did add one further goal, a penalty won and converted by Dickinson gave him his fourth of the afternoon. A great team display with special mentions for performances from Freeman, Mallory, Miller and obviously Dickinson.
Man of the Match; Dickinson
Next fixture; Rothwell (a), 26th September 2009, Royds Lane
26th September 2009
Royds Lane
Rothwell (0) v Bardsey (3)
Bardsey Line up; (3-5-2) Smith, Mallory, Ward, Stimpson, Bingley, Womersley, Freeman, Longfellow, Miller, Dickinson, Connolly Subs; Harrison (55), Mills (65), Grimston, Blowers, Bird (70)
Bardsey approached the game knowing a win could take them top. Mills and Blowers returned from suspensions whilst the following squad members remained unavailable; Thompson (Suspension), Carry (Suspension), Toney (Long Suspension). Bardsey fielded a largely unchanged side with Toney the only casualty from the previous weeks impressive display against Otley.
The management made it clear that nothing but a win would be acceptable from the visit to the side propping up the table. Both sides started slowly with the game struggling into life. Bardsey enjoyed the majority of possession without really posing a threat. The first half hour saw few chances with the best effort on goal coming from a Rothwell free kick that was well dealt with by Smith, low to his left. Bardsey broke the deadlock through Connolly who after some intricate build up play on the edge of the box was able to slide the ball past an advancing keeper. Shortly after Dickinson thought he had extended the visitors lead with Les Ferdinand like header from 15 yards. The celebrations were cut short by the linesman who ruled Dickinson’s misshapen claw to be beyond the line of the last defender. Dickinson did however get his goal before the break. The ball arrived at the feet of the Bardsey talisman after a passage of play involving Connolly and Longfellow. He shot high into the keepers near post extending the visitors lead.
The second half began much the same as the first with neither side really taking control. Dickinson was presented with a guilt edge opportunity which he wasted, blasting a volley wide from all of 5 yards. The management felt the need to change things and Mick Jagger lookalike Harrison was introduced at the expense of Connolly who was still coming to terms with the amount of money he had spent at ‘Wild Cats’ earlier in the week. I did not take the rock legend long to make his make, cutting in from the left hand side and steering the ball in with his less favoured right foot. GAME OVER!!! Bardsey took charge for the remainder of proceedings, at times playing some excellent possession football.
Man of the Match; Mallory
Next fixture; Salts (a), 3rd October 2009, County Cup
3rd Oct 2009
Salts Playing Fields
Salts (0) v Bardsey (3)
Bardsey Line up; (3-5-2) Smith, Mallory, Ward, Mills, Harrison, Womersley, Blowers, Longfellow, Bingley, Dickinson, Connolly Subs; Stimpson (70), Potter (65), Dicko’s young’n (75)
The long trip to Salts (Saltaire) was made even longer thanks to a rogue postcode provided Mr Jobson (Club Secretary). Tempers were fraught in the Omega as the Bardsey convoy rolled up just 15 minutes before the kick off. Bardsey travelled without the suspended trio of Thompson (Suspension), Carry (Suspension), Toney (Long Suspension) whilst Miller (Stomach Bug), Freeman (Pleasure Beach), Bird (?) and Grimston (Severe Finger Injury) also declared themselves unavailable. Three changes were made to the team victorious at Rothwell; Mills returned to captain the side, Blowers in for Miller and impact sub Harrison replaced the sea siding Freeman.
Despite the absence of a warm up and a working plug socket for the pre-match tunes, Bardsey started the stronger of the two sides. Having won the toss, the home side elected to play against the wind which did not seem such a wise decision as they struggled to get out of their own half. A series of long range efforts were dealt with well by the Salts goalkeeper, whilst Mills and Connolly both wasted good chances to put the visitors ahead. The breakthrough came shortly after the 20 minute mark, Dickinson embarked on a mazy which saw pass at least four of the opposing side before slipping the ball to his strike partner Connolly who beat the keeper from close range. One nil soon became two. A 25yard driven free kick from Dickinson somehow managed to evade the traffic in the penalty box and nestle in the bottom corner. The half continued with Bardsey in the ascendency, any threat posed by the home side was snuffed out by Blowers who was deputising well in an unfamiliar role.
The management issued a few words of caution at half time and encouraged the side to continue in taking the game to the opposition. Despite the relentless strong head wind Bardsey kept the ball well. Just before the hour mark the game threatened to turn nasty following a couple of tasty challenges, most notably from Salts’s number 3 seen earlier arriving on a ‘Sunshine Bus’. This riled the away side especially Blowers who had a few choice words with the home teams Jack Black lookalike. A couple of trademark ‘chops’ and a left foot strike later Bardsey were three up, Dickinson with his second of the game. Bardsey failed to extend their advantage with Connolly staking his claim for miss of the season. The half was littered with flashes of brilliance from Dickinson, Connolly and most markedly Bingley. Salts did have their moments forcing a goal line scramble and a couple of smart stops from Smith but 3 nil it remained and a much deserved victory for the away side.
Man of the Match; Bingley
Next fixture; Borough’six fingered’bridge (h), 10th October 2009, League
Match reports by Mick "Can you get me a corner?" Mills.