Chesterton Legacy FC

Match Report
Date: 26th September 10

Line up:
Andy B, Jon L, Scott J, Stu F, Paul E, Shane R, Danny S (Ollie B), Simon G, Carlos G, Eddie N, Marvin B (Marc T).
Subs: Marc T, Ollie B.

After the smash and grab job against Ellesmere last week, Legacy took on the team that finished 4th in last seasons Tucker Gardner top division. Both sides met in the League Cup quarter final last January with that game resulting in a 4-1 win to Legacy. Centre back pairing Scott Jakes and Stuart Fordham were welcomed back to the side after their lady related absence the previous week. The hero of the Ellesmere game goalkeeper Ricky Timms had to pull out at the last minute due to having a flat tyre in his car, manager Andy Burns stepped up to take his place between the sticks. Other than that the side from the previous week was the same with full backs, midfield and attack keeping their places.

A cold and wet morning started with Surff taking the game to Legacy, their passing on a slick pitch getting the better of Legacy who seemed to be chasing shadows. The Surff side had set out very similar to the game in the previous season and came out trying to play football. The referee was stamping his authority on the game early by penalising anyone with their arms up for challenges in the air.

While dominating play Surff didn't create any clear cut chances to test stand in keeper Andy Burns, then out of nowhere a ball along the floor from the Surff defence evaded the Legacy midfield and defence to put their striker through on goal. Andy Burns advanced towards the player and the striker calmly chipped over his head to put Surff 1-0 up. Legacy hadn't got going and were looking out of sorts.

The goal seemed to galvanise Legacy and after the goal they seemed to keep Surff pinned in their own half. Surff were struggling to find the rhythm from the start of the match and Legacy broke up play while keeping good possession. The wingers Carlos Griffin and Shane Rackham were providing good width and attacking the Surff full backs to good effect, this good spell from Legacy paid off when after one of the attacks the ball fell to Rackham on the right hand side of the area. A touch and drill across goal forced a save from the Surff goalkeeper, with 2 defenders on the line the ball fell to new signing Eddie Newman. Turning on the ball a cheeky back heel found it's way between the defenders and over the line. Eddie had been holding the ball up well and bringing others into play so deserved his goal.

A Surff striker picked up a silly yellow card attempting to stop goalkeeper Andy Burns kicking the ball from his hands.

Half time eventually came after many stoppages in the first half for both free kicks and dog mess removal, but with the momentum now with Legacy not much needed to be said and the team came out for the second half the same as they finished the first. The wind was now blowing heavily towards the Legacy goal and their resolve would be tested in the second half. Simon Garner got proceedings underway with a shot from kick off that unfortunately scuffed wide and didn't trouble the Surff goal. After the slow start in the first half Legacy were now on top and controlling the game, doing what they do best by being first to the ball and keeping it. Despite controlling the proceedings the game was still open and a goal for either side could prove to be the winner.

The 2 wingers who had been causing Surff problems all morning linked to provide the breakthrough for Legacy. After a mix up in the Surff box the ball fell to Shane Rackham, his shot rebounded back to Carlos Griffin who half volleyed from the edge of the box and hit the inside of the right post before crossing the line. Both subs were introduced after the goal with Marvin Beckett and Danny Smith making way in like for like swaps with Marc Thain and Ollie Brittain.

Soon after the second goal Surff were reduced to 10 men, the Surff captain taking exception to a refereeing decision bringing him a yellow card. He continued to barrack the ref and reduced any chance of Surff getting back into the game. The subs that came on added some fresh legs to an already dominant Legacy team, linking well with the rest of the side they have no doubt staked their claim for a start. The rest of the game was seen out with Legacy creating a couple more chances and keeping their 100% record. The other sides in the division who have won all games so far are Wilbraham Sunday, N-C-I Reserves and West End United.

Legacy have what will probably be their toughest test of the season next week, they take on last seasons cup finalists and the team that finished 2nd by 1 point - Village Cars.

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