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Pilgrims 3-4 Old Boys

Martin Hardy Testimonial Game

This was a fun game to finish off the season and raise a bit of money for Martin Hardy following ten seasons of great service playing for the Pilgrims. It was good to see a few old faces back at York Street, although time has added a few inches to a few waist measurements and taken its toll on explosive pace. There was great banter from Chris Withe and Martin Filson, with Ronnie Reid also ad-libbing well from the touchline. Referee Uriah Rennie's only problem in controlling the game was to suppress laughter following outrageously comic tackles from both sides.

In the second half Steve Evans tried out his new tactics for next season. It involves playing himself upfront alongside Paul Bastock, with Mark Melson in goal and Steve Appleby on the right wing. It wasn't a great success, despite the introduction of Wardy the Lion for the Old Boys side, who had great trouble seeing the ball.

For the record Phil Brown put the Old Boys in front on 23 minutes. Keith Alexander made it 2-0 five mintes later. Ian Stringfellow pulled a goal back five minutes before half time. Five minutes after the interval Martin Filson made it 3-1 to the Old Boys. Martin Hardy reduced the deficit to one goal with a penalty on 62 minutes. Neil Timby scored to make it 4-2 on 74 minutes and Steve Evans finished off the game with a penalty which he slotted past Matt Carmichael in the Old Boys goal right at the end.

Pilgrims team: 1. Paul Bastock, 2. Mark Melson, 3. Len Curtis, 4. Ian Stringfellow, 5. Martin Hardy, 6. Gary Childs, 7. Andrew Stanhope, 8. Peter Costello, 9. Mark Rawle, 10. Ross Nicholls, 11. Richard Mason, 12. Steve Appleby, 14. Leigh Taylor, 15. Gary Walters. 16. Steve Evans

Pilgrims Old Boys team: 1. Kevin Blackwell, 2. Paul Casey, 3. Chris Withe, 4. Neil Timby, 5. Martin Filson, 6. Danny Seager, 7. Phil Brown, 8. Gary Simpson, 9. Chris Cook, 10. Matt Carmichael, 11. Keith Alexander, 12. Dick Creasey, 14. Wardy the Lion.


Photos from the game

Evans and Creasy stand in for Dipsy and Laa Laa

Does my bum look big in this?

Gary Simpson shows off his new protective padding

Who is that new outfielder running rings round Chris Withe?

Keith Alexander still has that scoring touch

Filson and Alexander adopt the short ball game

The Pilgrims

The Old Boys with Tex

The match officials with Tex, Luke and Jake