The Vets put in a strong, battling performance in a return match against Swindon Legends, played on Friday 26th January on the 4G at Gerard Buxton. Previously, in September, the Vets had been on the end of a 3-1 defeat.
The Vets, with an average age in the mid 40's, controlled large amounts of the game against their younger opponents, with the Legends composed of mainly 25-30 year olds, and could have grabbed a well-deserved victory at the death.
Starting well, Martin Ohrland strode through the midfield and lashed a left footed drive across the keeper from 20 yards to give the Vets an early lead after 5 minutes. Legends struck back with a good attack down the right and a cross finding the striker unmarked in the centre to head in.
Bassett looked good in possession, playing out through the back three of Wood, Parr and Heath, and using the wingbacks of Percy Purcell and Marchment to widen the play. Gleed anchored well in midfield, allowing Ohrland and new skilful Brazilian recruit 'Victor' to attack from midfield. Skeates and Cooper showed touches of brilliance (and some not so brilliant!) and used their pace to stretch the defence. Such running left a hole for Ohrland again to gallop into and his long-range effort surprised the Legends and nestled into the far corner.
Legends were certainly stunned and the game became increasingly fractious, heavy tackles going in and the referee coming under increasing pressure. Most unsavoury.
Legends' equaliser came fortuitously, first with the award of a soft free kick for what looked a fair header. The wall stood strong, but a big deflection off a muscular deltoid (mine!) looped past the stranded Boystones in goal.
Bassett received wise words from Coach of the Day PD at half time (and some more industrial) and had much the better of the second half, playing decent attractive football. After 5 minutes PD replaced the crocked Skeates and provided a good focal point up top, but on several breakaway occasions the Vets were indebted to Boystones keeping out the resulting shots.
There was no doubting the quality of the strike to take Legends into the lead. Their tricky winger cut in from the left past two and as the defence stood off he unleashed a powerful swirler that gave Boystones no chance.
The way Bassett responded showed true grit and togetherness. Despite being on the end of many heavy tackles, Victor kept running at the defence, on one mesmerising occasion seeming to go past everyone twice and slipping the ball through to Ohrland who thought he had his hat trick.
Unfortunately, a non-existent linesman had flagged and the goal was disallowed. Ohrland strived to reach his hat trick, but his shooting boots had now deserted him. Someone else needed to step up and, after intricate approach play between PD and Cooper, a delicious chipped ball through from the former found Victor one on one and a composed lifted equaliser capped a fine individual display.
Vets strove for the equaliser, using PD, who was a constant menace, to good effect. With only moments to go, Cooper waltzed past his man and escaped down the right. From the edge of the area his strike almost beat the keeper at his near post, only a fingertip save onto the post preventing a goal, and then Ohrland crashed the rebound high and mighty. Oh so close!
Man of the match was awarded to Martin Ohrland for his two strikes and huge presence in midfield.
Credit: "Junior Striker"
Last modified on Sunday 28th January 2018 at 12:15
