28 February 2017

 

It has been another busy month for the club on the pitch with the first and second teams taking part in three games each and the Elders facing a game against Birmingham Blaze. 
 
The first team had an unbeaten month in the league during February after drawing all three of their games. 
 
After a free Saturday on the first weekend of the month the boys hosted Chorltonians Villa on 11 February. After going into the break 1-0 down Village showed determination and desire to grab an equaliser courtesy of Wilson.  

 

The following week Rochdale Galaxy visited the University Pitches in Wythenshawe and, after a delayed kick off due to the opposition getting lost, the action got under way. The spoils were shared with Mooney and Sal bagging the goals in a game which was dedicated to the Football v Homophobia month initiative and saw a visit by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and other dignitaries.  

 

Top of the table Abacus Media Reserves were the opponents for the final game of the month as Village travelled to Cardinal Langley RCHS in Middleton. A Thomas goal saw the teams go into the half time break all square. Strikes from Mbano and Matthews looked to have secured an impressive victory from our boys but a late, late equaliser denied them all three points as everyone from the away team shouted "offside".  

 

The second team faced two Scottish teams as well as local rivals Mersey Marauders during their three games in the month. 

 

In the Northern Cup semi-final the boys faced community club United Glasgow in the impressive surroundings of the Scotstoun Stadium. 

 

D Shaw restored parity after an opening goal for the hosts but two stunning strikes – one a bullet header from a corner and the other a brilliant strike from a needlessly conceded free kick – saw Village go into the half time break two goals down. Despite a spirited effort the second team could not grab a second goal that would make the finale interesting and they crashed out of the cup. 
 
A couple of weeks later the boys welcomed Glasgow based Saltire Thistle to Albert Park in the GFSN League. A poor first half saw the opposition take advantage of a high defensive line and grab five goals to go into the break 5-0 up. A tighter and more regimented second half saw an improved display from Village. Two late goals, adding to one earlier in the second half, saw the Scottish opposition run out 8-0 winners.  

 

The final second team game of the month saw the boys head to Archbishop Beck Sports College in Liverpool to face Mersey Marauders in the M62 Unite League. A calm finish from Cooper and two clinical strikes from Nelson saw Village race into a 3-0 lead. Smart and controlled play saw the team produce one of their best performances of the season and see out the game and end the month with a victory.  
 
At the start of February the Village Elders made their way to the Midlands to face Birmingham Blaze in a friendly. A goal from Storey and a brace from Mooney earned the old boys a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw with Blaze only just managing a last minute equaliser. 

 

Words: Rob McPherson

Photos: Steve Joyce, John Bridges