Bamber Bridge Vets 5 (five) - 0 Croston

The Vets returned to action at the LFA's County Ground last Friday, welcoming an in-form Croston.

With the visitors going in to the game unbeaten in 12, it was potentially a tough test for the Brig lads.

The Vets gaffer, Chris 'Singy' Singleton had is work cut out with the team selection for the game. After a week of more ins and outs than a Hokey Cokey at a wedding disco, 'Singy' managed to get 14 names on team sheet.

He stayed faithful to the the tried and tested line up, where possible sticking with the lads who turn up regularly. One notable change was Singy sticking himself in defence. He claimed this was a tactical decision, but rumour has it, he just thought he would have less running around to do if he went at the back.

Whether it was deliberate tactics, or just a stroke of luck, the new line up worked, and the Vets combined their proven free-scoring abilities with a clean sheet

Goals from Chris 'Goose' Marlow, a brace from Mitch Newsome, a superb free-kick from John Turner and a penalty from Kenny Mayers saw the Vets run out 5-0 winners.

Player Ratings (by our anonymous assessor):

Wayne Dixon - 7
Think it’s his first clean sheet in history, did make a couple of decent saves but according to the gaffer he was well protected on the night. (Nothing to do with the gaffer being in defence!)

Jamie Nay 7
Horrendous first half. In fact, we thought there was someone he knew on the adjacent pitch as he kept passing the ball over that way. Much improved in the second half.

James Clegg - 7
Mr consistent.

Chris Chattel - 7
Came in at short notice to replace Ross Bain who was allegedly injured. Solid game

Chris Singleton - 7
Played in an unfamiliar defensive role. He's now dining out on the clean sheet and apparently "taking a long, hard, look at defenders who were unavailable on the night"!.

Jon Bolton - 7
Steady in the middle of the park, had a little stint at the back and picked up a knock.

Lennie Reid - 7
Nice and tidy, kept us ticking, always a threat. May be appointed head of Social Media after the Vets Twitter followers increased significantly after his picture appeared on the feed before the game.

Tom Ince - 8
A real threat all night, unlucky with a header (yes a header) in the first half

Chris Marlow - 7
Scored of the first goal and put in a shift. Never stops

Kenny Mayers - 7
Scored a pen and was the big link up man for everybody to play off. He’s now OFF free kicks.

Mitch Newsome - 8
Scored a couple again and seems in top form. Looks sharp, but was surprised to see him as it was raining.

John Turner - 8
Scored a worldie of a free kick. Lifted the quality when he came on.

Chris Mackenzie - 7
Busy in the middle of the park, broke things up and let the others get on the ball.

*Notable absences:

Shane Jessop - 0
After saying he was available he didn’t turn up. Apparently he'd managed to secure an emergency carpet fitting which clashed with the game and that had to take priority. Photographic evidence was provided to the manager, but until it has been forensically examined and proven to have been taken on Friday evening, the excuse cannot be accepted.

Clearly over excited by the clean sheet, there was also a good turnout for post-match drinks in Lion too. Incey not only won his first header of his career but also got his first round in too.