Sunday 27th September 2020, the first competitive league fixture of Raeburn AFC against Wirral Athletic.
This was a long awaited fixture, prepared for over months, with the acquiring of players, new kits and navigating a tricky pre-season. A managerial debut for the 2 gaffers Dan and Jay, would provide them with a delightful problem of picking a team from a squad of 16, with many possible combinations to use.

Raeburn arrived at Coronation Park, full of enthusiasm following 3 friendly victories on the bounce, confidence was high and the happiness of the squad could be felt. The game started however, in a rather recent familiar fashion, frantic and open, this can be attributed to the high intensity the hosts began with and the fact that the first 20minutes of every game we have played have followed a similar fashion with teams dying off rather rapidly thereafter. The hosts had the best of the first 10minutes, then, when Raeburn had established a foothold and got the ball down and moving, the tide swiftly changed with Dan Piggott on the left wing becoming a thorn in the right backs side. Attack after attack then began to happen, Ney and Graham carrying the ball out comfortably midfield duo of Ste (soon after Presswell) and Foulksey settled and calm on the ball in the middle and the front three hassling and harrying everyone in an opposition shirt.

The breakthrough came following a succession of corners, any of which could have resulted in a goal, this one however a lovely whipped ball a failed clearance and a first time finish from Dagzy reflective of the professional, who’s famous celebration he stole (B***, Beer, Raeburn in that order). Following this an injury to Ste saw Oli make his first appearance and Presswell move to midfield, where he began to make his presence known nutmegging and turning opposition midfielders for fun.

The second goal came after a marauding run forward from Graham, supplying a sumptuous ball through to Dom, breaking in from the right, who coolly finished past the opposition keeper. Safe to say neither full back was enjoying a good day for Wirral. 2-0, plenty more chances did present themselves, a Ste volley from 20 yards, a bullet strike from Presswell saved by his own player’s arse and a half chance for Foulksey on the half volley.

The second half began with the reminder that no to halves are the same, though this one was an instant reflection of the first. The first 5 minutes Wirral applying pressure after a rest and then the following 40, Raeburn having attack after attack. The final score should have been a reflection of the dominance that Raeburn had but maybe a little tiredness set in, when it came to decisions in terms of finishing and final balls. Substitutions in the second half did freshen up the team, Bedel with his searing pace proving a problem for anyone up against him, likewise Sully on the far wing providing great runs forward and creating many chances for fellow players; Phil came on and performed the same role Dagzy did in the first half, making a nuisance of himself, hassling the opposition and carving out chances (also having a filthy volley chalked off for a contentious offside). The final goal of the game went to Foulksey, following some brilliant teamwork down the right between Tom and Bedel, the former providing some lovely balls over the top for the winger to chase all game, a saved shot and confusion, good chasing from Bedel to put the centre backs under pressure, who then went on to create a “Bedel Sandwich” conceding a penalty. Up stepped Foulksey (from about 16yards in the end) who hammered it home.

A great first game all round from the team, showing willingness to work for eachother and create opportunities from a variety of situations. MotM went to Dan Piggott, who all game ran the Wirral team ragged, closing down, tackling and showing off some lovely touches in possession.

AFC Raeburn

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