Thursday, 27 September 2012

Halkyn Vets v Chester Nomads 22/09/12

Halkyn Vets 2 v Chester Nomads 0

Another excellent performance by the home team against a well organised and competitive team. Halkyn introduced another new player to the squad called Jim who bore a striking resemblance to similar bald headed middle aged players! To be fair he worked tirelessly in the midfield and adapted well to the Halkyn team ethos of 'if in doubt welly it or blame someone else!!'.
Goals came from the debutant Jim following a penalty box scramble and then a screaming shot from at least 30 yards by Speedy.
A good start to the season especially as we were missing some regulars.

Man of the match was Simon in the centre of defence who worked tirelessly against some seasoned centre forwards.

Halkyn Vets v Denbigh

Saturday 15th September

Halkyn Vets 3 v Denbigh 1

Match report to follow

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Halkyn Vets v Rhewl 8/9/12


                                                 


                                             Halkyn Vets 2 v Rhewl 1

On  a glorious afternoon the two teams met as part of the charity games being played at the neutral venue of Northop Hall. Halkyn, due to players being on holiday, injured or basically 'could'nt be arsed' featured a depleted squad and also introduced a new player, Adam, who made the fatal error of wearing shiny white boots!!! Someone should have told him about club rules and not looking a twat on the pitch!

In the early play both teams had good chances but due to the recent good weather the pitch was hard which made controlling the ball difficult, nothing to do with the fact we are all too old and shite! Halkyn took the lead following a good move down the left side when Yoda managed to head a ball through to Neil Thomas who took it in his stride and finished strongly. Big mention to Yoda as it was the first time he had managed to head the ball as the sun was in his eyes!

The score remained the same until the second half when Rhewl took advantage of a poor clearance from a corner and their centre forward volleyed in from the edge of the box. By this stage both teams were feeling the effects of the heat, old age and general lack of fitness but credit to Adam, on his debut, who struck a shot from the edge of the opposition's box and it 'trickled' under the keeper.

Overall a good performance from Halkyn and in particular the two new players Simon and Adam.
          

Thursday, 16 August 2012

Sealand Cup Final 12/05/12


Sealand Cup Final 12th May 2012

Liverpool Convocation 0 v Halkyn Vets 2

On a glorious afternoon Halkyn played in the final of the Sealand Cup - we had previously been knocked out in the semi finals in the preceding two years so this was an important game and was a fitting end to what had been our most successful season for a considerable time.

Halkyn were able to field a strong squad and as it was particularly hot we benefited from rotating players during the game. Steve Moore kindly took himself off during the game and obviously was hot as he threw his shirt on the ground not realising that he had brought his teddy with him!!!

Halkyn were the best team from the first whistle and we created numerous chances even after we had to bring Neil off with a 'niggling hamstring'. Both goals came following good passing moves and we were never really troubled by the opposition although Damian and co were determined to give the opposition as much of the ball as possible!

Big thanks to Dewi who nearly completed 60 minutes, a record for this season and also to Franny for getting lost within the grounds of Liverpool Convocation - don't ask!!!


Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Sealand Cup semi-final 5th May 2012

Halkyn Vets 3 v Northop Hall Old Boys 1

The two teams met in the semi-final of the Sealand Cup in what was billed as a 'local derby'. Both teams fielded strong squads with the reward of a medal as an incentive. Halkyn started strongly and put the opposition defence under immediate pressure with the pace of Stilly causing the alarm bells to ring. Early pressure led to an excellent individual goal by Stilly who dribbled past a couple of players and finished coolly.
Halkyns second came from a comedy of mistakes by Northop Hall and as a player tackled 'Big Neil' in the penalty area he inadvertly put the ball in his own goal. The home team then relaxed and having given away a senseless free kick on the edge of their own box Martin Gaskell went for a walk inspecting local drainage ditches which allowed the opposition to take a free kick and run into the penalty box unchallenged. Gary 'the cat' Griffiths, in goal, decided that his best tactic was to disembowel the opposition forward and he launched himself at the 'victim' resulting in a penalty kick. Mel for Northop Hall calmly put the kick away although Gary's stats for saving penalties is as bad as the Conservative debt recovery plans!!
The second half continued in the same manner with Halkyn having the majority of possession and testing the away keeper on a number of occasions. Again thanks to great interplay between the midfield and Stilly Halkyn scored and this seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the opponents.
A comprehensive victory for Halkyn who will now play Liverpool Convocation on Saturday the 12th May in the finals.
Man of the match for Halkyn was Mike Davies but all the home team played their part. 

Sunday, 29 April 2012

Rhewl Vets v Halkyn Vets 28/04/12

Rhewl Vets 2 v Halkyn Vets 5
A depleted Halkyn team met Rhewl in the last game of the round robin stage of the Sealand cup with both teams needing a win to secure a place in the semi finals. Halkyn were missing five players from their last game against Wirral Vets and some players were asked to play out of position.
Rhewl fielded a strong squad and had the majority of the early play leading to a goal following a defensive mistake by the player manager of Halkyn ( he is too old and fat - his words not the players!!!)
Having gone behind Halkyn were inspired and were awarded a penalty following some excellent play by Stilly which was cooly converted by Andy Beck. Despite losing a further player to injury and now only having eleven players who could actually run Halkyn took the lead when a slick move was converted by Franny.
Following a motivational half time talk which consisted of identifying which players  were not carrying an injury(four uninjured players!!) Halkyn resumed the second half strongly and scored two quick goals. Praise again for Stilly and Neil for their excellent running which meant the Rhewl defence were always being tested. Halkyn suffered a further setback when Mickey Roberts fell awkwardly but he gallantly finished the game despite fracturing his arm!!! Rhewl did not give in to their credit and pushed strongly scoring a goal with a looping header at the far post but almost immediately Halkyn responded with Stilly scoring the goal of the match.
Man of the match ( as voted by the Denbigh mafia) went to Glyn Davies for his stirling work in the centre of midfield  but it was an excellent team performance and a richly deserved victory

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Wirral Vets v Halkyn Vets 21/04/12

Wirral Vets 2 v  Halkyn Vets 6

The two teams met as part of the Sealand Cup group matches and on the back of a poor defeat against Liverpool Convocation the away team needed a good result. Both teams fielded strong squads and despite the recent poor weather the game was played on a dry but blustery day. The pitch was unfortunately rather bumpy which at times made ball control somewhat precarious!

Despite the testing conditions Halkyn started well and played controlled football which eventually led to the opener for the away team. As usual Halkyn then switched off and having lost Dewi to a hamstring injury the reformed defence appeared to tread water allowing the Wirral winger to run through almost unchallenged. As a result Neil Hewitt is now on a fitness programme (his own words) having had a week of all inclusive beer in Egypt. Not sure whether he realises he is nearly 50 but god loves a trier!!

Halkyn regained the lead shortly before half time when the Wirral centre back headed into his own goal. We were also assisted by Glyn Davies winding up one of the opposition which resulted in Glyn being placed in a choke hold until we could draw the refs attention to the the miscreant.

Our half time team talk was full of Fergie positivety including the usual ' you cant polish a turd' and 'im packing this shite in' but we began the second half well and scored a number of good goals. Special mention goes to Mike Davies for his hatrick and also his helpful anecdotes with the ref!

The final result was well deserved by Halkyn and even the opposition acknowledged that on the day they had been outplayed. Man of the match was Mike Davies for a cracking all round performance
   

Monday, 2 April 2012

Chester Nomads 5th v Halkyn Vets

Chester Nomads 1 v Halkyn Vets 3

The two teams met at the Garrison ground with Halkyn bringing 15 players to the match. Unfortunately Nomads had some late notice cry offs so the away team gave them a player at the start. In a closely contested first half both teams played some attractive football and early on Halkyn were awarded a penalty which surprisingly Speedy put wide so ending his 100% record. Halkyn took the lead through their debutant Dewi who steered the ball home following a corner. Nomads quickly levelled the match and as the teams changed halves it was still anyones game.
 Unfortunately both teams then suffered a number of injuries and by the end of the match both teams were down to ten players each. The spaces created by the absent players was fully exploited and goals from Martin Gaskell and Andy Beck resulted in victory for the away team.
Back in the Halkyn changing room it was like a scene from casualty with players hobbling around but we all managed to drag ourselves back to the pub for suitable refreshments and the usual banter.
A big thank you to Franny and Dewi for turning up for the match although both players were anticiapting aching limbs the following day.

Monday, 26 March 2012

Halkyn Vets 1 v British Steel 2

On a warm afternoon Halkyn played British Steel and due to the recent good weather the pitch was firm and challenging!! Halkyn took the lead early in the first half following an excellent move down the left wing which led to Andy Beck crossing the ball to Stilly who controlled the cross and finished clinically.
On the balance of play the lead was deserved and despite Halkyn continuing to try and play football the opposition resorted to somewhat dubious tactics usually involving kicking players as often as possible!! Andy Beck in particular came in for some 'aggressive tackling' which was picked up by the ref Ady Goss.
The opposition towards the end of the first half scored a dubious goal on the break which appeared to be offside but presumably the ref was blinded by the sun!!
The second half continued as the first with some 'heated exchanges' between players which at times spilt over to teddy bears being thrown out of prams!! Against the run of play British Steel again scored but they continued with their 'kick and hit' tactics and as a result the ref abandoned the game.
This was a disappointing end to what is always a fiercely contested match and both teams need to concentrate on their football and not each other! Encouragingly both teams put their differences aside and topped up their fluid losses at the pub.

Man of the match was Mickey Roberts for a stirling display in the centre of midfield and thanks to Dave for his brief appearance before his lungs gave in!!   

Thursday, 22 March 2012

British Steel Cup

17th March 2012
British Steel Cup
Halkyn Vets 0 Denbigh 2


The two teams met in the first round of the British Steel Cup and due to the restriction of only playing players over 35 the home team were missing a few regulars. Despite this Halkyn had the best of the first half and tested the Denbigh keeper on a number of occasions with Andy Beck coming close.


The second half began in the same way with Halkyn striking the cross bar and also missing an open goal (sorry Pete!!!). The match turned in the 60th minute when Andy Walls passed the ball back to the Halkyn keeper who proceeded to perform a rendition of 'dancing on ice' and, having fallen clumsily, failed to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line.


Halkyn appeared to be motivated by this mistake and with a rallying call of 'tosser' continued to put the away team under pressure but to no avail. An impromptu formation change to 1-10 allowed the away team to score another goal on the break in the dying minutes and the game was over.


A big thank you to the ref, Ady Goss ,who thankfully did not have to intervene on too many occasions as the game was played in the right spirit despite the usual banter from the touchlines and Geordie!!!

Halkyn's man of the match was Mike Davies



Friday, 2 March 2012

Welcome to Halkyn Veterans Football Club.  This is where all the latest news, scores and dramas can be found.  All postings and comments will be posted.  So get blogging, any contribution will be gratefully accepted!!