With Ash MacGhee and Andy Williams out of the line up plus Ben Inman back on first team duties Fleece 'B' had some shaking up to do with the line up. Tony Simpson, normally a defensive stalwart and after playing well down the right side in the midweek match against Jolly Miller, was chosen to play upfront - a tactical decision that worked well for the first half.
Though 2 minutes from the off Ossett Panthers narrowly fired over the bar with a well hit effort. Fleece were noticeably unsettled in the opening encounters and marginally better football was played by the opposition - better use of space and passing. Too much of Fleece's work was bunched up and lacking composure. The boys though rode their luck and plugged away, rewarded by Tony Simpson picking up on an Andy Sugden spilled shot for his and Fleece's opener on the 20 minute mark.
Some 2-3 minutes later this hard earned goal came unstuck as Craig Kellett was caught out on the edge of the area for Panthers to equalise. True, Kellett did fumble but the nearby defender ought to have called out and gave him a passing option out of danger.

Not to worry too much as within 2 minutes Fleece won a disputed corner and Tony Simpson nodded in the second from some 6-7 yards out. Perhaps if Panthers hadn't been badgering the ref leading up to the corner this wouldn't have happened. Still, Fleece weren't complaining.
Some 4 minutes later Paddy McGarry broke through and chipped the keeper. Fleece were on a roll.

On the half hour Graeme Hardwick knocked in a tidy corner kick for Tony Simpson to nod in an almost carbon copy header for his hat trick and Fleece 4-1 up; players and small crowd ecstatic; Panthers looking savaged. On a warm and sticky afternoon half time couldn't come quick enough - Fleece lads needing a drink and Ossett Panthers needing a break.

The second half saw a different Panthers - definitely more aware of the threat from Simpson and keeping more of an eye out for him. Plus him being an old codger and maybe feeling the pace (although it didn't stop him from trying).
Six minutes in to the second half Fleece struggled to clear in a goalmouth scramble and let in a second for 4-2. Ossett fielded a couple of subs and for some 20 minutes or so it was their turn to be run Fleece ragged. Andy Sugden and Mark Bowden in the midfield and Kellett and Dale in defence, in particular, dug in well and Fleece at least managed to keep the Panthers at bay. Fleece did have their breaks but too often fell in to the offside trap (always an element of luck with only the ref impartial) and a couple of goals disallowed.

The heat and pace of the game had taken its toll and even with young Ryan coming on for Matt Fox and Dave ???? for Hardwick Fleece just couldn't match their first half performance.
With 5 minutes to go Ossett pulled a further goal back from a corner and made for a close run in to the end of the game.
A hard earned 3 points.

************

Fleece 'A' lost 3-2 away to Sandal Athletic in a cup match. This after leading 2-1 at the break with goals from Ben Inman and Mark Morgan.
Apparently, Sandal played well and 'deserved' their win.
Fleece 'A' on 43 points and 2 games in hand can now maybe concentrate on maximising their points tally in the final 6 matches and hope Kexboro' (53 points) slip up in a couple of their remaining 4. Or at least haul in AFC Thornhill (46 points) in 2nd.

Jolly Miller Vs Fleece 'B'

Despite the pre match talk of not having first-teamers playing in the reserves Fleece 'B' fielded 2 - Ben 'Benji' Inman and 'Wanner'. Thus pushing yours truly off the subs bench. Extra insult came in the request to surrender my kit for another player who then nearly had me going home crying by refusing it. Boo-fucking-hoo (cheers Dave).
lt makes you realise what being part of a team is about. Of course l get pissed off from never getting a game (a familiar grumble from many an also ran), but then who doesn't? At the end of the day it's about having the best teams possible for the game and winning, any personal motivations channeled into the team.

Although most played well throughout, Ben lnman was the undoubted star of the show in the first half - making quick breaks and carrying the ball through when it just didn't look like he ought to, latching on to some excellent route one supply and bagging four first-half goals. His first on 7 minutes and others soon after (yeah, l can do that . . ). Also ran grumblings forgotten and soon turning to cheers.
Andy Williams played his usual firm but fair game - making plenty of openings, generally ruffling up the opposition, bagging a couple of goals and also proving handy in the midfield 50-50.
Ash MacGhee showed prowess in the middle of the park giving good distribution and link up play and in the latter stages of the game plugging in a well taken solo effort; the reasonable sized crowd of non-playing first teamers egging him on in anticipation.
And Tony Simpson out of his usual defensive role playing well on the flank stopping many an attack and well supporting the front runners.

In truth the squad all played well and despite the odd hiccup here and there Fleece were more together than of late. Word on the sidelines and in prematch talk was of cutting out the gobshiting - at each other and anyone else in earshot. Oft at full volume, this covers quite an area. The message was affirmed when Millers had a player sent off for continuous gobbing off over the Refs ability to run the game (and the status of his parentage).
We're getting there. Sure, some FA report apparently has the team up for a mauling over previous misconduct, but there has been a growing recognition within the team to guide their energies into the game. l'd say it's often a cover for our own shortcomings to lash out at others - and something every touchline critic ought to understand.

As for an overall team spirit there is still some room to manoeuvre. A warm afternoon meant that the players were drinking plenty and come half time drinks bottles were almost empty. No one wanting to be the mug that goes to fill up (hey, l was running touch) and sheepishly looking elsewhere when hot and flustered players vented their anger.

Fleece 'B' Vs. Snydale Athletic 'B'

2-2.

lf one player made an impression on a game then this one seems to be it. For whatever reason, Dave W. was well fired up before, during and after - it could've been losing out as first choice keeper for the 'A' team and out to prove a point in the lower ranks, some row lingering from home, work or merely natural character. Whatever it was he was well on the boil.

During practice games a couple of 'keepers in particular like to strut their stuff out on the pitch - maybe for the change or to prove a point. Dave plays fairly well out of goal and when on a run is often like a knife through butter - although finishing leaves a lot to be desired.
In this game he played centre of defence and his call - 'Dave's up!' was a regular feature. Seemingly every long ball into the Fleece half, every throw-in was met with this call, Dave clearing and letting the opposition - and everyone else - know that not much was going to get through. Despite this solid presence though it began to rattle more than just the opposition as Dave became too competitive, to the point of wanting to win everything and then playing out his own team-mates. Sure, he did undeniably good work but just lacking that touch that would have made his efforts fit in with the rest of the team. For instance, when it's proven that every ball in can be defended against then look for a team-mate to pass to rather than repeatedly nodding the ball out into touch and ceding possession.

Come half-time team-mates got an ear-bashing, later on in the game the ref came in for some not too constructive criticism. And afterwards . . . ? Jesus Christ! he was still blathering on. Difficult to criticise when he'd played well as an individual and in some part leading the way, just not tuned in to the team proper . . .

One other memorable moment during the match came when Si Kelly chased down and battled for a lost cause ball cutting back to set up Andy Sugden for an easy slot home.

Fleece 'B' Vs. Ryecroft sports FC.

*
(New job plus up and down sleeping pattern finally caught up on my good self and 40 winks turned into considerably longer - l was late for the kick-off. Apologies.)
On arrival the game was 3 apiece and 10 minutes to go in the first half. Fleece reserves had pulled back from 3-1 down and battling well against top of the table opposition; centre forward Andy Williams bagging all 3 Fleece goals.

Parker Road - our field of dreams (and occasional nightmares) - situated west of the M1 between junctions 39 and 40 is a wide open boggy plain and subject to the elements; the wind high and howling, the pitch cut up and bobbly so skills a la premiership/championship are hard come by.
This didn't stop Ryecroft playing well and looking good for their top of the table status - tighter passing, better control and passing, use of flanks, more height and better commited to the 50-50 ball and confidenct throughout. This paid off 3 minutes into the second half when a breakthrough on the left was cut back in for an admittedly well taken 4th. Another 3 minutes later and it was 3-5.

Shit - this was looking like it was going to be a rout. However, Fleece dug in and managed to stem the flow, although they were always up against it; cohesion lost and Ryecroft rampant. The boys defended doggedly - Tony 'baldhead' standing out well in defence and Graeme Hardwick booked (again!) for his usual Loki-ism in the shape of an ankle tap - you bad boy! Still, he managed a wry smile.

Fleece B's battling began to take its toll and players were picking up knocks - Hardwick's groin, Craig Kellett, Tony Baldhead and Dave 'no. 7' all copping for a whack. Reserve keeper Dave came on for Kellett and it even looked like yours truly might get a second appearance under my belt. But the lads were having none of it and l was confined to the sidelines as unused 2nd sub and much abused (cheers Kyle) 2nd half linesman, ball-boy, water carrier, home crowd and match reporter/photographer; the other 3 home supporters retiring to the comforts of the ad hoc tea bar/pigeon shed (yerbastardsyer!).

Handbagging award (and oscar nomination) goes to a Ryecroft midfilder for trip, roll and gobbing off.

***

This leaves Fleece 'B' in 10th position (out of 12) with 3 games in hand over 9th placed Sandal athletic reserves.

Last 5 league fixture are -

THU 13 APR 2006 18:15 Home Vs. Snydale Athletic Res at Parker Road, Horbury.
TUE 18 APR 2006 18:15 Jolly Miller FC Vs. Away at Slack Lane, Newmillerdam.
SAT 22 APR 2006 14:30 Ossett Panthers Vs. Away at Green Park, Horbury.
SAT 29 APR 2006 14:30 Home Vs. Ferrybridge Amateurs at Parker Road, Horbury.
SAT 06 MAY 2006 14:30 Stanley Arms FC Vs. Away at Coach Road, Outwood.

***

Fleece 'A' won 2-8 away at bottom placed Morley C and SC and 'played crap'.
Scorers were -
Carl Walker - hat trick,
Jamie Brearley,
Rich Hardwick,
Ash MacGhee,
Stuart Jones
and an own goal.

***

(* nude shower photos of Craig Kellett are available to highest bidder).

Fleece 'A' vs Pinderfields 9 and a half men . . .

(Got to this game late after Tuesday night kickabout with 'Engineers blue' (and assortment of catering crew).
Fleece went 7-0 up just as l arrived, Ben Inman (no 10) nodding over a defender (bottom pic - for some reason they still load up in reverse order) and 10 minutes to go before half-time. Pinderfields were on the backfoot with only 9 men at this stage, ironically sponsored by Unison (given the turn-out).
Fleece played in their red and black away kit, sponsored by safeguard fencing (?).

As could be expected traffic was largely one-way, Fleece having enough chances to double this score - plenty of near misses plus the odd misskick, skied and wide effort.
Pinderfields to their credit battled on in good spirit, managing to keep up the camaraderie, some good individual skills on display and even managing some good breaks, though abley coped with.
After the break Pinderfields were up to 10 men and managed to hold out somewhat better than the first half, 'only' conceding 3 more goals - the last 2 being deflected own goals.

16 year old Ryan came on for the last 20 minutes, having a decent run and some 3 attempts on goal. None taken though not a bad start.