The Vets were finally back to competitive action last night, following their Uhlsport Hellenic Veterans Division One title win in the teams first ever season. This meant the side had been promoted to the Premier Division, which was going to be more challenging, plus another change was the home venue for this season, which has seen the side move from Clanfield (85) FC to Fairford Town.
The visitors in the opening game of the season couldn’t have been more tougher on paper, with last seasons Premier Division Champions Old Hooky Vets gracing the away changing room. Town’s Gaffer had some difficult decisions to make prior to the fixture with an almost full squad to pick from and unfortunately, there were some disappointed lads on the side-lines or at home!
The pre-match team talk was to ensure that percentage football was played, don’t take risks and that we give 100% effort throughout the 80 minutes. What followed was as if the Gaffer’s words had be listened to and acted out to the letter by the entire squad. Town started the brighter and on 5 minutes, new striker Chris Roche who was a thorn in the Hooky backline the whole match, broke free of the defender and hit a left footed effort past the on-rushing keeper but also the far post.
Hooky were struggling to get the ball into their large strike-force and on 15 minutes another effort was carved out as Andy Lynham pulled the ball back from the by-line for Paul Hulme, but his effort was high, wide and handsome. Hooky were starting to get the ball down and played through their playmaking number 8 and on 19 minutes they had their first effort on goal which saw Town keeper Lee Ruddle scramble down to save.
The deadlock was finally broken on 22 minutes, when Paul Smith recovered a loose ball from a Town corner and his cross was met by the sliding Ben Spencer past the static defence and into the net. Town were not letting up and from another corner, this time on the right, skipper Gary Sutton won his header, putting the ball across goal to the far post where Hulme managed to get the last touch and Town were 2-0 up after 28 minutes. Hooky were struggling to deal with how quick Town were off the mark and our backline and midfield were dealing with the balls into the front two and runners off the ball.
Town then made it three on 34 minutes, as Roche saw his excellent left foot volley, tipped onto the post for a great save, however Smith was the first to react and his right foot shot from six yards went through the recovering keepers legs. It was almost 4-0 moments later as Lynham rose highest at the far post and powered his header home, he celebrated with Damian Francis only for their delight and cuddles to be thwarted by the linesman’s flag and referee’s whistle! On the stroke of half-time Hulme almost scored a worldy as he dummied the defender and saw his curling effort just miss the far post…..
The half time chat was to ensure we didn’t let the visitors have a sniff of an opportunity to fightback into the tie and ensure even if changes were made to the playing eleven, we matched effort we saw in the opening 40 minutes. Within moments of the restart it was 4-0 as Roche gathered a long ball from Ruddle, beat his marker and crossed for Smith, who volleyed on the turn, left footed and past the despairing keeper. Town were now playing to see the game out and it did encourage the visitors to create a number of half chances. The opening one come on 53 minutes, when Ruddle tipped a free-kick over the bar for a corner. Moments later and Town nearly stretched their lead again as Smith turned provider for Roche, whose volley was well saved by the keeper.
Old Hooky never gave up and played some nice intricate football, but never really troubled the Town back four, but grabbed consolation goal on 65 minutes when a cross-shot was too hot for Ruddle to handle and he palmed the ball into the net, low to his left. The game then ran to a conclusion, it was more than competitive and played in a decent spirit, with Town thoroughly deserving of the three points.
Town Gaffer Martin Harries was full of praise for his squad after the final whistle “I’ll be honest and say this result has taken me by surprise. I knew we could be competitive, but would we be able to match Premier sides footballing ability. The visitors had their excuses, but you can only beat what is put in front of you and our squad on the night was superb. We had lads who were disappointed about not being selected who still came and watched the tie. The whole performance was probably the most complete since we formed last summer and it was nice to prove to some that we could compete with “the big boys” as we were told at the end of last season!”
Final Score: Faringdon Town 4 – 1 Old Hooky Vets
Squad: Lee Ruddle, Steve Pugh, Dave Legg, Damian Francis, Gary Sutton(c), Glenn Townsend, Ben Spencer, Andy Lynham, Chris Roche, Paul Hulme, Paul Smith, Chris Pettis, Phil Thompson, Gavin Stevens, Daryl Pugh, Anthony McCusker
DOTD: Lyno (for the goal that never was celebrations)
MOTM: Rochey (led the line superbly on his debut and created numerous chances for his team-mates)
The Vets are back in action next Wednesday (12th September) when they travel to Chinnor ‘A’ for a 7.45 pm kick off.
