More than six months after last kicking a ball competitively, Vets2 returned to action against our old rivals from British United
More than six months after last kicking a ball competitively, Vets2 returned to action against our old rivals from British United. With a new captain, new kit, and a few old faces in new positions - and masks required off the pitch - there was a slightly different "first game of the season" feeling as we arrived in the changing room. But then Tom realised he had forgotten his ID card, and we all realised that this was a normal ABSSA Saturday. (For future reference, the reason that Tom was not in the team photo taken just before kick-off is that he was in the car on the way home to search the house.)
The game got under way in sweltering heat with a clear tactic of trying to keep the ball so that they had to run more than they did. With a central midfield of Carl, Nando and Brian Lewis, we soon started to dominate possession, with Munish at right back and Benoit at left back giving us useful outlets, and Mike and Cchris out wide going further forward, and Leo as a target man. Brian Morris and captain Roger resumed a familiar central defensive partnership, in front of a less familiar keeper - the multi-talented Johan Eriksen.
All went well until, five minutes in, Carl claimed that his hamstring had gone. He tried to "run it off", but had to give way after 20 minutes - allowing Adnane to come into midfield.
We were dominating the game without creating any clear cut chances. A couple of good corners from Mikey gave half chances to Roger and Adnane, and wee Brian and Leo were unlucky not to get a clean contact with a cross. Chris was getting a lot of space on the right, and we were using this well. Nando was able to get forward too. It was surely just a a matter of time....
Then, five minutes before half time, Johan took a long goal kick down the middle. Their defenders missed it and suddenly Leo was through on goal. On the difficult bobbly grass pitch, would he manage to get the ball under control and finish it? Of course he did. 1-0 Leonardo Sardaro.
In the heat, we were happy to hear the half-time whistle, and get the confirmation that Tom was on his way back with his ID. We agreed to stick to the game plan, judging that they would soon tire.
In reality, the British United substitutes gave us a bit more to worry about in defence. Ten minutes in, Tom came on for Leo, allowing Benoit to pick up their dangerous-looking number 10, and releasing wee Brian at centre forward. This immediately gave us more stability and a different threat going forward. Chris and an overlapping Munish were able to use the space on our right. Brian went close on a couple of occasions and Adnane had a shot that flashed just wide.
With 15 minutes to go, Alex and Ady came on - and gave us useful new legs at this stage of the game. (Did I mention it was very hot?)
Apart from their only corner of the game - which came to nothing, we held strong defensively. And with three minutes to go, Brian Lewis was finally able to get on the end of a Chris Ffinch cross with a spectacular volley into the corner of the net. 2-0 to the good guys.
And that's how if finished. Man of the match voting saw votes for 6 or 7 players, but the clear winner was goal scorer Brian Lewis.
Apart from delegué Hughie having to explain the ref's socially-distanced pre-match referee's ID check, there were not too many reminders of the strange times that we live in. In fact it was nice to be reminded of the good times that ABSSA Saturdays can offer.
Post match activities included club awards to Leo (2019/20 vets 2 player of the season) and Roger (honorary club member), and a good chance to discuss the meaning of life. It was particularly nice to see Roman, Neil Wright and the legendary Scott MacDonald coming down to cheer on the boys.
Roll on next week, away to FC Higgins!
Team: Eriksen; Awesti, Waite, Morris, Priest; Ledbury (Ahmade), Criado (Knott), Lewis; Gutierez (Talib), Ffinch, Sardaro (Houston).
