VMFC 2nd XI 8-5 Merseyside Marauders

Village Manchester FC's second team got off to a winning start under new manager Matt Hall with an entertaining 8-5 friendly win over Mersey Marauders.

by Pete Ransom

Playing their first game since early October, the team welcomed back Tom Barratt into midfield (last seen hobbling off against Brighton in October with damaged ankle ligaments), Pete Ransom at left wing back (last seen hobbling off against Vida in January with damaged ankle ligaments) and Paul Golds at right wingback (last seen asking people if they wanted to see his gash).

First team manager Ant Lockley joined Matt Hall and former-Councillor (ouch) Bridges at centre back, with Ryan Mullender and Craig Nordon filling the midfield positions. Alex Kirkham and Craig Leech filled the striking roles, while James Toland made his debut in goal.

Village were ahead within a couple of minutes with a goal that set the tone for the rest of the game. As Kirkham and Nordon raced into the box there was confusion between McMullen in goal and his central defender, the ball being diverted past the keeper for an own goal and 1-0. Just a couple of minutes later Kirkham dashed down the right and hit in a low cross for Leech to convert and double Village's advantage.

Seemingly impressed by Mersey's unstable defence, VMFC decided to put in some calamitous work themselves, letting a striker through to be brought down by James Toland for a penalty, which they duly converted to halve the deficit.

The two goal difference was restored after Paul Golds's quick thinking released Leech down the right wing and he returned the favour for the second goal by crossing for Kirkham to make it 3-1.

After Ransom hit the bar with a curling free kick that had the keeper well beaten, the half closed with a goal apiece that would have delighted those of a comedy defending persuasion. Matt Hall attempted to cover a bouncing ball over the defence but his clearance behind the goal dropped somewhat shot - i.e. over Toland's head and into his own net. More poor defending by Mersey then allowed Barratt to convert for his second goal of the season.

Half time: 4-2

The second half was much more of the same. After narrowly missing a curling strike from the corner of the area, Craig Leech quickly got himself a second with a delightful "twisty turny" goal (thanks Alex), followed by an inspired dipping volley from 25 yards that bagged his hat trick.

After Merseyside pulled one back with a well-worked throughball, Village were awarded a penalty for a blatant shove on Leech, which Kirkham converted to make it 7-3.

The seesaw action continued with Paul Golds losing posession at the back and gifting Marauders a fourth goal. Ransom then made sure of his second free kick by curling it into the top of the net for his first goal of the season to make it 8-4.

After Ransom and Leech had a mini-strop that resulted in the striker deliberately picking out Ransom's car behind the goal with a strike of much distance, Marauders had the final say with a fine individual goal from their striker to make it 8-5 at full-time but Village were well worth their win.

The game may not be on anyone's list for how to defend but it was certainly non-stop entertainment throughout. All of Village's second team put in a lot of good work in their first match since October and the signs are encouraging for the remaining friendlies before they make the trip to Cologne in August.