Chesterton Legacy FC

Match Report
Date: 10th October 10

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

Looking to make it 20 League games unbeaten Legacy travelled to the early pace setters in the League, Wilbraham Sunday. Legacy have so far dragged themselves into the top half of the table with narrow wins at Surff and Ellesmere, plus a late comeback earning a draw against Village Cars. Wilbraham had brushed aside the same 3 sides Legacy have faced so far this season, making this without question their toughest test so far. Legacy would have to get something out of the game in order to prove their worth in this League having been promoted last season.

There were only a couple of changes from the previous week, Andy Burns moved back into defence in place of the absent Terry Smith and Danny Smith come back into the side taking Andy's place in midfield. To save themselves from having to come from behind week in week out Legacy need to start games with a bit more self belief and get out of the blocks a bit quicker, this problem that seems to hamper the side most weeks reared its ugly head once again. The slick linking up and passing between the Wilbraham midfield and attack was over running Legacy. Legacy were chasing shadows and Wilbraham got what they deserved when they went 1-0 up early on.

This proved a bit of a wake up call for Legacy and they started to play some better football and make their mark on the game. Carlos Grifin who seems to be a thorn in every side he plays against, had a shot crash against the bar. Oli Brittain was gratefully waiting on the edge of the box, after a neat control a calm finish into the left side of the net went past the outstretched hand of the keeper to make it 1-1. Probably more than they deserved at this stage, but hopefully this would give Legacy the impetus to push on.

With the game now opening up and looking like goals could go in at either end, Legacy were next to make the breakthrough. A handball incident on the line gave Legacy a penalty. As he had done the previous week, Eddie Newman stepped up and cool as a cucumber sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the left corner.

A further penalty incident levelled the game with the spot kick going to Wilbraham this time. Man of the season so far stood up to the test from the Wilbraham player and saved the penalty, only for the referee to order a re-take for coming off his line. Ricky couldn't get to the re-take and it was made 2-2. There was still time for further drama before half time when Carlos Griffin gave the visitors the lead. The teams went in at half time with what looked an unlikely Legacy lead after the start to the half.

Legacy came out second half with the urgency and energy that they'd ended the first half with, Wilbraham were arguing among themselves and the slick football they started the game with was nowhere to be seen. Carlos was the man of the moment once again not long after half time, giving Legacy a 2 goal lead for the first time in the match with one of the goals of the season so far. His mazy run past a couple of defenders and finish from an impossible angle made it 4-2.

Wilbraham then seemed to wake up and started to come back at Legacy, their passing game that was evident from the opening exchanges of the first half was on show again and they were creating plenty of chances. Their pacy strikers were getting in behind the defence and this pressure soon reduced the Legacy lead to 1 goal. With momentum on their side Wilbraham were taking the game to Legacy, the referee awarded a penalty after a scuffle in the box involving Shane Rackham who had moved to right back and goalkeeper Ricky Timms. Ricky pulled off as good a save as you will see at any level for a penalty, pushing a penalty that was high and right of him round the post. Despite his heroics and many good saves throughout the match, Wilbraham levelled the game to make it 4-4 later in the half.

In the dying minutes of the game Marvin Beckett won a corner on the left side. A corner swung into the danger area was knocked to just inside the edge of the area, some good footwork and a toe poke from Andy Burns found it's way under the body of the Wilbraham keeper to give Legacy a dramatic late winner! What seemed a long few minutes after the goal were played out without much event, Legacy had come through probably their toughest test of the last couple of seasons and beaten the League leaders on their own ground. Not enough can be said of the contribution of Ricky Timms, who has probably single handedly got Legacy to the position they are in this season with a string of fine saves and shows of goalkeeping master class. Legacy now sit in 2nd place, 2 points behind Wilbraham with a game in hand.

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