Greenwood pile driver sinks Preston
The derby game took place, outside of the Red Rose County, at the ‘Goals’ complex in Kirkstall, Leeds and from first minute to last, this was a contest laden with passion, guts and dogged determination as the fourteen players involved represented their clubs with the utmost pride.
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After a quick inspection of pitch dimensions, a joint decision was made between the sides, that a game of five-a-side would be more appropriate than the originally planned six-a-side format. The Clarets lined up with John Robertson in goal, Austin Greenwood, Gary Stuttard, Damien Whitehead and Stephen Hodge (captain) with Tom Bennett and Martin Bell starting on the bench, but unfortunately, it was the opposition who found themselves on top in the opening exchanges.
Not surprisingly, the Lilywhites adapted well to the Deepdale-esque Astroturf surface of old, and inside ten minutes they found themselves three goals to the good, as gaping gaps were left in the heart of the Clarets defence which were fully exploited.
In all fairness, our rivals looked very comfortable early doors and they had a number of half chances to extend their lead. However, after Greenwood struck the post from a tight angle, the Clarets did eventually get off the mark, as Bennett prodded a loose ball past the helpless Lilywhite’s keeper.
A fine sweeping move two minutes later, ended with the Preston lads restoring their three goal advantage, as the ball was switched out wide and drilled immediately across goal and into the net off the far post. The Clarets were finding it difficult to establish a foothold in the game and 25 minutes in, four became five as the Lilywhites again exploited gaps at the back; this time converting a one on one opportunity, tucking the ball into the net, again off the post.
The WYC side, who between them were donning every BFC kit design from the season of 1999/2000 to the present day, looked very much a side with the mentality of the Stan Ternent ‘Throw One In’ squad; although often short on numbers and frequently over exposed at the back, the Clarets always looked strong in the final third. However, Stuttard helped settle the Clarets defence for a short period, with some well timed interceptions after a quick tactical change he freed Greenwood who broke his duck as he passed two defenders and slotted the ball away for 5-2 – game on!
Within a minute, WYC were well and truly back in the contest, as captain fantastic Hodge took advantage of a super Bennett assist, to convert a well timed finish on the half volley. Momentum was with the boys in claret shirts now and on 45 minutes, Bennett grabbed his brace. Following a well parried save, it was Bennett who was first to the rebound, where he placed an exquisite chip over the despairing Lilywhite goalkeeper into the roof of the goal.
Some complacency in the WYC ranks resulted in the Lilywhites scoring another quick brace of goals. However, sandwiched between these strikes, the Clarets got a goal of their own as a great ball from the left channel was played into the danger area, where Bennett was left with the simple task of tapping the ball home and in the process, completing a well deserved his hat trick.
With less than 10 minutes of the hour remaining, WYC certainly were the team on top. In this, the first game that this side has played together, it had taken some time, but late on, the passing had become firmer and movement more ambitious, with every player now providing a willing outlet for the man on the ball.
After a plethora of near misses, Whitehead finally got the goal which he had been seeking as he rattled home a great strike to make it 7-6, following some very determined play from Bell on the right wing.
Five minutes to go and just when the Clarets thought the score couldn’t have got much better, the equaliser came. Again, Whitehead was involved, creating space to shoot on goal, only to see his strike ricochet off two Lilywhite defenders and into the net for the most bizarre of own goals.
Into the last minute and Greenwood was reintroduced to the action following a short period of time on the sidelines. What followed was a moment of sheer magic. Picking up the ball on the left hand side, Greenwood cut back inside, around the halfway line and unleashed a pile driver which sailed past the stranded goalkeeper, into the right hand side of the goal. It was a very fitting way for a game of football like this to come to its conclusion; Austin ran the show from start to finish and quite rightly grabbed the winning goal in his Man of the Match performance.
It was a thoroughly entertaining affair and I’m sure all the lads involved enjoyed it. One suspects that the WY Lilywhites will be calling for a rematch sometime in the near future as they looked dumfounded at the end of the game.
Indeed, there has been talk of the West Yorkshire Seasiders wanting to get involved in some games against both teams involved tonight. In the bar after the game, everyone joked about the possibility of the three sides starting to play against each other on a regular basis, perhaps competing for a trophy which gets passed to the winners on each occasion. Who knows, maybe there is potential for a David Eyres tournament after all.
Thanks to all the lads that took part tonight. It was a great evening and coupled with our forthcoming inaugural trip to Hillsborough, I think it indicates clearly, that the WYC organisation is now well and truly off the ground and is a Supporters’ Group that will be around for some time to come!