2016
Number of games seen 133
January 9
February 4
March 14
April 12
May 7
June 15
July 2
August 18
September 13
October 14
November 10
December 15
Countries visited 10
Moldova
Transnistria
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Germany
Malta
France
Bulgaria
Slovakia
Japan
Match of the season!
Basford United 4 v Leek Town 2
At any level of football you will be hard pushed to witness such was the excitement and drama on display at Greenwich Avenue last night.
You can watch this incredible game by clicking on the link below. Apologises the Leek equalising 1st goal has been posted twice in error so whilst the video shows 3 1st half goals for them it was actually 2 !!
In a game that had most United 2-0 up after 7 minutes & looking capable of a rout, level at 2-2 after 22min and on the ropes, down to 10 men on 36 min & no recognised sub keeper. 2nd half a courage back to the wall performance by the 10 men and two counterattacking moves that won the game. Finally playing out time & whilst riding luck at times a tremendous back to the wall effort & claim 3 points but more so demonstrate team spirit to defy the odds.
Enter Fabian Smith one of longest & our most versatile outfield players, showed great courage to take the goalkeeper gloves after Saul Deeney last man dismissal on 36 min, but what chance at 5ft 6 against Leek Town striker pairing of Chris Buddy’s & Grice both 6ft 2 plus, surely it was a mismatch? The make shift keeper though aided by a fabulous 10 man display had other ideas, and collectively got the job done with great handling and bravery often demonstrated by our number 1 or 2 Saul Deeney & Jake Wood.
No recognition of the forthcoming drama as United exploded out of the traps & flew into a 2-0 lead after 7 minutes. 1st move was link up at pace as Courey Grantham & Calum Smith connected for the latter 17 yr old Smith to coolly net for 1-0. Moments later another high tempo move finished with Billy Bennett skidding a delightful cross that Courey Grantham buried at the 2nd attempt 2-0. Leek looked shell shocked but got a lifeline on 19min as Chris Budrys took advantage of failing to clear lines to bury past Saul Deeney. Lifted the visitors drew level on 22 mins as Budrys again finished well for 2-2. With Utd shell shocked Tim Grice missed a sitter as he headed wide under pressure from 3 yards. The drama continued as United went down to 10 on 37 min. Saul Deeney was dismissed for a last man infringement and that was where the fun started. With Jake Wood left out of the 5 subs due to so many injury concerns in the starting 11, then Fabian Smith had to don the gloves. His 1st action was a fine stop.
HT & a 2-2 scoreline and contemplating a whole 45 minutes against a strong outfit with 10 & a makeshift keeper then may be it would have been easy to call it a night and accept the highly stacked odds of a home defeat. Unfortunately the group typify the Management as demonstrated by a backs to the wall team spirit siege mentality and a game plan worked to perfection 2nd period. United can score against anyone on the counter, but despite a slice of big luck 18 year old Jack Woods effort took a big deflection past Leek keeper Chris Martin for 3-2 on 59 min. No such luck on 61 minutes as Courey Grantham against 4 defenders forced the error and let fly from 25 yards past Martin for a great strike and some much needed breathing space. United then showed the rear guard resilience to keep Leek at bay, as Smith made several good claims and also pulled out 2 great stops and suffered a bust lip for exceptional bravery. United assisted by great desire from the 10 and that bit of lady luck you need on nights like this in such adversity, saw out time to claim 3 fabulous points against a team who will likely be there or there about at the end of the season.
Basford are highly thankful of our supporters who turned out in good numbers last night and without question provided the encouragement when it was much needed.
Highlights of the year
Discovering the first official song book of Colne FC!!
Football travels with Ross 