After a terrific season last time out, The Revs were in fine song going into the opening game of the season. Allen, last season’s player of the season, was missing, as was Hartrick, last season’s top scorer, so it was down to the rest to do a quantum leap… Put right what once went wrong, against The Rosse.
So last time out, The Revs played them off the park but lost 3-0 – with this the last game of 2017, The Revs were determined to do better.
And better they did! And in some style too! This game had pretty much everything – if there were neutrals watching this would be game of the season already! This would get top billing on Match of the Day and Lineker would be purring that the Championship at Saltaire was the best league in Europe!!
From the off The Revs were at it, just like last time against The Rosse, stroking the ball round the park and putting the pressure on the opposition. This time, however, the chances were taken. Within the first 5 Tyman had opened The Revs account for the season with a fortunate kick in into the box that went straight to the keeper who flapped a hand at it and in it went – if the keeper had left it there would have been no goal, but who cares! One nil Revs.
This was followed up moments later with some wonderful interplay between J. Evans, Steane and Beardall finishing into the bottom corner.
Cruising, but dangerous territory with the opposition taking advantage of The Revs switching off to get one back. The Revs upped it a gear though and when L. Evans intercepted and then cut inside, the third goal came. In fact the only thing that could have stopped Evans was his own brother who had to hop, skip and jump out of the way of the pin point strike with none of the opposition anywhere near!
The Revs went back into cruise control though and allowed the opposition to hit back almost immediately. It was a great initial save from Myers but their nippy forward was the first to the ball to slot in the rebound.
Half time and P. Pinkstone addressed the troops – and quite rightly – The Revs should be 3-0 up, not 3-2… If they were to lose this game it would be of their own making!
The little Pep talk seemed to work and The Revs 4th followed from Tyman who took advantage of a defensive mistake to smash home his second. J. Evans should have added another but the bounce of the ball evaded him and his finish was, well let’s just say the ball hasn’t landed yet!
A 5th did follow with Beardall putting Steane in, then a 6th was added from L. Evans after Tyman’s fortuitous touch found a way through.
The opposition did take advantage of Myer’s bad distribution in the last 5 to score a third, but it was surely too little too late for them?
The opposition took advantage of some slack defending late on – a case of complacency maybe. They almost scored after chipping Myers, but D. Pinkstone saved blushes with a goal line clearance. Then moments later Myers made amends for his earlier mistake with a stunning triple save to deny them a sure fire 4th.
With that the opposition looked deflated as The Revs broke once again and Steane tried to gobble up his 2nd, but instead crashed it against the post allowing Tyman to finish his hatrick instead and make it a resounding 7-3 score line.
P. Pinkstone mopped up late in the game to ensure no more goals were conceded and the ref brought proceedings to an end.
Revenge had been served and with it The Revs go into the New Year as league leaders! A great way to end 2017!
Christmas number one!!
Have a good festive period boys!! See you on the flip side.
