Chesterton Legacy FC

Match Report
Date: 19th September 10

Line up:
Ricky T, Jon L (Ollie B), Terry S, Andy B, Paul E, Shane R, Danny S, Simon G (Marc T), Carlos G, Eddie N (Prince M), Marvin B.
Subs: Marc T, Ollie B, Prince M.

After a stop start pre-season and the first game being called off last week, Legacy got back to League football and kicked off their Premiership campaign. Their first opponents were one of the only teams to thwart them last season, Ellesmere inflicted a Centenary Cup quarter final loss on Legacy back in February. A combination of key players missing, lack of match practice and new players starting without any game time together, everything looked set for Legacy to falter in their first game. Both first choice centre backs Scott Jakes and Stuart Fordham were missing, also last seasons top scorer Sam Asplen was sidelined with an injury.

Despite the missing players Legacy still had 14 to choose from, Andy Burns gave his first competitive line up to the players who were there and said that familiarity was the key. Legacy kicked the game off at the Manor and started brightly. An early corner was won on the left wing, with Ellesmere struggling to deal with the aerial threat of strikers Marvin Beckett and new signing Eddie Newman, Legacy had a good chance to go ahead early. Danny Smith swung a ball in from the left, Ellesmere failed to deal with it and one of their players put it past their own keeper. 1-0 Legacy!

Legacy continued to press in the first half and were soon 2-0 up through Shane Rackham. A throw in from Andy Burns on the right was flicked on by Marvin Beckett, Shane was waiting at the back post to nod it home. Legacy appeared to be in control of the game at this point.

Complacency started to creep in and Ellesmere started to create a number of chances, they made a breakthrough not long before half time after a goalmouth scramble. With a few Legacy bodies throwing themselves in front of the ball and a couple of saves from keeper Ricky Timms, the ball landed at the feet of an Ellesmere player who had an easy finish to make it 2-1. This momentum carried Ellesmere through the rest of the half and to let Ellesmere back into the game a penalty was conceded. Keeper Ricky Timms was sent the wrong way and Ellesmere had pulled it back just before half time. Legacy had lost a 2-0 lead and went into half time having handed Ellesmere all the momentum.

The hero of the second half was goalkeeper Ricky Timms, while Legacy made chances of their own, Ricky was on hand to frustrate Ellesmere who created a number of clear cut chances. Ricky kept everything out and gave Legacy the platform to go on and try to steal the game.

All the subs were introduced over the course of the 2nd half, Oli Brittain made his debut coming on for Jon Lilley, returning former Legacy player Prince Murandu came on and caused all sorts of problems up front after replacing Eddie Newman and Marc Thain made a return to the side coming on for another new signing Simon Garner.

It was the last substitution that would prove to be the most vital and steal Legacy the game, a ball from midfield was played into the feet of Marc Thain. After some good footwork and creating some space for himself down the right hand side, a fantastic ball was played across the box between the keeper and defender. Neither came for it and Marvin Beckett was waiting gratefully on the back post to push the ball home.

Five minutes were left on the clock and with Legacy on top they managed to see the game out with some good possession of the ball and resolute defending. A bit of a snatch and grab job from Legacy and Ellesmere probably deserved more, but considering the circumstances this was a very well earned result and gives Legacy a great platform to build on for the rest of the League campaign.

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