Vale of Lune 3s vs Oldham 2s

Here we go again, with a 2nd away game in as many weeks, the text message circus once again took place this week. The 1st team management reluctant for another repeat of 2 match day cry offs playing it safe with a 19 man squad.

Obviously the knock on effect from such is that the rest of the club pick up the pieces, and to be fair, both the 2nd and 3rd teams at ORUFC do it remarkably well, week in, week out.

Once again it was a Friday before squads could be shared around the club, something that needs working on, has been noted, and hopefully will change. I'm all for players feeling wanted, and leaving it so late makes it feel like we're a full club of forgotten men, rather than being more organised with the team sheets.

Anyway.

An early start for our 2nd furthest away game, saving ourselves the blushes of an locked clubhouse, an 11.30 meet at Maccys for the fattys within the team, with Greg Higgins 2.0 being about the only one taking advantage. Old man Lee Howard rocked up with some greasy spoon jobby and Chris Brown drinking some sort of funny coloured juice as a weird detox from the night before. No chippy dinner for Chris Gill unfortunately, as he was a later pickup so had to make do with a Tesco Express meal deal.

Well, barring 1 cry off we were ready to go, not ideal, but I don't pay these lads wages, and if work calls them in, so be it. Like some of the beasts they have at home pulling the strings, I ain't gunna argue.

Off we pop, up the M6 to Morecambe, the early start, at request of Vale of Lune, who, with their 4 teams all playing at home, needed to organise their day with a military precision. The outdoor bar looked and tasted well, and hell hath no fury for those who might have had a taste pre-game.... (You know, I know Sean Barratt)

Onto the game....finally.

A good, conductive warm up led to a good start to the game, both teams toing and froing for the initial periods of the game, poking and prodding at each other for early spoils.

The breakthrough came around the 25 min mark, Billy Buckley bursting a 5 yard run with 4 players unable to bring him down before eloquently placing the ball over the whitewash.

Unfortunately Vale almost immediately fought back to bring the scores level.

Kev Golland completed superb hands work from the Oldham backs, sent on his way after clever work from Chris Gill and Hammad Illtaf sent him on his way, still plenty of work to do, but a crafty sidesteps and pace meant he went home under the sticks.

All day the Oldham forwards were on top, and a suggestion of gamesmanship and tactics mean the injury suffered to the Vale hooker meant Vale were to go uncontested for the remainder. He made a great turn of pace as linesman though, putting some packet runs in to keep up with play.

The game was still to close for comfort, therefore allowing Chris Brown to kick over 2 penalties allowed some breathing space before another strange decision, this time was sent Billy Buckley for a 10 minute power nap for reasons the official was unwilling to share. Odd.

Sure enough, with the game now at 14-20, this set up for an intense finish, with Vale very much in the ascendancy, and decisions continually going in their direction. Inevitably, a concede after some sustained pressure but excellent defending meant the Vale kicker needed to convert to put them ahead.. Oops.

From the resulting kick off, a class performance from Ryan Pickles was rounded off when catching the Chris Gill high ball, opened up on his acceleration to run straight through from kick off, placing the ball down to seal a 19-27 win for the travelling 2s.

Worthy mentions to the excellent boot of Chris Brown, 5 from 5 today. Harry Ravenscroft for a superb job at an unfamiliar full back role. But Man of the Match today went to Ryan Pickles with a phenomenal performance, playing with a smile on his face and excellent to watch.

Next up. Crosby visit Manor Park on 13th Oct.

Quarter Finals here we come!

MF x