On a glorious and very hot morning at the BR the crowds had turned out in force with their soft drinks and sandwiches to watch our last game of the season against top of the table Oddies a game we had to win if we had any chance of winning the league. Marty had nearly a full squad to pick from apart from a few who had other commitments. The game started slowly at first with each team not wanting to make mistakes. On the half hour Bannister put a great ball over the top of their defence for Bainbridge to run onto (yes I really said run onto) and in what seemed like ages he got it under control and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0. The rest of the half see both teams have half chances missed, and were glad to hear the half time whistle.
This saw a mad rush by the supporters to go for refreshments, which by this time all were showing signs of sunstroke. The kids were enjoying themselves on the bouncy castle, but I had to go and tell Mick Laffey and Jason to get off coz the little kids wanted a go. The ice cream van in the car park was doing a roaring trade in 99’s but nearly caused a riot when it ran out of flakes. By this time word had spread that there was a big game on and more people had turned up.
Second half started with the Horse playing some good passing football but it was the Oddies who managed to equalise after Costello went in for a tackle and injured his ankle we all thought it was a foul but the ref carried on and Oddies scored 1-1. After that Horse were pressing well with Wilson, Greenwood and Foster. Greenwood got the ball 30 yards out and went on a run passing two defenders and was brought down for a clear cut penalty, up steps Bannister who scores with ease sending the goalie the wrong way 2-1. Not long after sees the Oddies attack and from a ball crossed in from the right the ball is headed into top left corner 2-2. It was anyone’s game now, Shep the Horse goalie pulled off a great save when oddies were through one on one. Horse kept on attacking looking for a winner when Joyce got the ball on the left hand side and passed to Douglas just outside the penalty area who sidestepped one man then let go with a tremendous shot that went in bottom left corner 3-2. Horse play their passing game to see out last few minutes, Full time 3-2. This starts a pitch invasion with everyone wanting to shake hands with a Horse player, they try to carry Bainbridge on their shoulders but give up when they can’t lift him. A great performance by everybody in the stifling heat. This win puts us top of league by 2 points meaning that Oddies have to go to Darlington Croft in their last game on Saturday and get three points to go above us and win the league.
