Picture the scene……..

A cold yet sunny winters afternoon in Ramsey the stiffs turn up slightly late as usual, half the team went one way and the other half took the scenic route.

An atmosphere of anticipation and uncertainty lay thick like smog in the changing rooms. This was the game we had all been waiting for a real game of football where our skills, vision and football ability will come up against a team that are only 2 places below us with 2 games in hand, not to mention the current top goal scorer in the league… this was a true nail biter a top of the table clash….. Forget Arsenal V Manchester United forget Chelsea V Liverpool – this was Coates Athletic Reserves Vs Ramsey Town A and what unfolded was pure football pleasure…………………..

We started well and had lots of the ball in the first half; we defended excellently with Mooch, Rik and Tim looking like an impenetrable force. We played some good passing football in the centre of midfield, Rosco was his usual self, getting amongst them early on and really making his mark on there centre midfielders. Dinger used his good touch and passing ability well to control most of the game in the centre and Shaun put himself about and played some good football. Sam and Lewis on the wings were up and down all game assisting the back three with defending and also trying desperately to get down the wings to put some crosses in but unfortunately due to nature of the game and how tight it was between the two teams it was quite difficult for them both to make there usual impact going forward however they did try.

The gaffer and Dave were doing there best upfront in the first half with some good interchanging play with Trev making his usual good runs into space and down into the corners, Dave with his usual deft touch in the centre to hold the ball up awaiting support. First Half 0-0, what a game!!!

The 2nd half started much the same as the end of the 1st. good defending in fact brilliant defending especially from Rik , tackles flying in left right and centre and once again some good passing football…Rosco was booked and for a few moments after we all thought he was going to be off but he calmed down and carried on.

The deadlock was almost broken by both teams and after some good play Sam found himself unmarked in the box but failed to score…. Subsequently after some good play by the opposition the ball broke through and Ramsey’s top goal scorer was through, Scott teared off his line and just only just managed to slice the ball away off the player and behind for a goal kick.

After this the gaffer decided fresh legs were needed to try and break the deadlock so Tom Lilly was introduced to the centre of the midfield in place for Dinger he made a positive impact and he scored shortly after coming on!!!!!!!! Come on Coates!!! Well done Tom, you called it mate!!!

Ramsey was now chasing the game and with nothing to lose they pushed up and hammered us for a time.

10mins to go and we were holding on… Medium Boy (Ash Wright) and Deej were introduced and after what I think was a corner from Ramsey it was expertly cleared out of the box the ball fell to Lewis’ feet, what happened next was what can only be described as magical for me anyway…. I pulled off my defender and called for the pass, It was expertly put into my feet and I knocked it in front of me with my trustee left foot, I looked up and noticed the keeper was slightly to the right of his goal and with this in mind I dropped my head down and kept my eyes on the ball, from 25 yards out I absolutely smashed it in the bottom left hand corner… The Crowd roared (Old man Dinger, Dinger himself, Hannah and My Twin Lee Doyle) what a goal, what a confidence booster… YOU DON’T SAVE THOSE!!!!!

2-0 to Coates Athletic - what a finish!!

Ramsey pulled one goal back late on with a cross from the right hand side but I knew that victory was ours.


2-1

We were holding on now, big time. 5mins to go and we were under the cosh….. The ball fell in our box and struck Shaun’s arm – no penalty, Ramsey went berserk!!! Good call referee.

Ramsey had one more chance one more appeal for a pen – Scott had the ball in both hands and was challenged the ref let the play continue and there player went down-no pen, It went out for a corner. Tense stuff now!! But we held on and came away the winners……

All in all a brilliant game and a great battle the whole team worked hard and ran there butts off. Rik Wilmer a much deserved winner of Player of the match.