Morecambe 1-4 Everton - Jim Bentley Testimonial Match
Saturday 14th July 2012 - Globe Arena - Attendance: 4223 (2060 Visitors)
So, it's game two of pre-season 2012. Morecambe v Everton in the Jim Bentley Testimonial Game at the Globe Arena.
The day began on a warmish platform at Keighley Train Station & with the steam of the Worth Valley rushing through my hair, I boarded the train to be greeted by the familiar face of Ben & Doughnut as well as the ugly mug of Carribob! I was also introduced to Doughnut's newest of train friends, the man known as Jelavic! (No, not that one!)
Just one stop into the train ride to Morecambe at Skipton, a good friend of mine Paddy was on another platfom readying himself for a train back towards Keighley & decided to give me a ring! In which he told me that his quiet drink in Keighley ended up with him waking up hungover in Skipton the following Morning... Haven't we all done this at one point or another!
Anyways, the reason I've mentioned this on the blog is because of a drama caused by the phone call! I politely told Paddy on the phone that him & his friend looked 'fucked' which didn't go down to well with a gentleman aboard the train!
This gentleman began to lecture me telling me how he'd had enough (I'd only swore once) & how I should show some manners, he's one to talk! I was still on the phone during this lecture! Talk about rude! Ben & Doughnut did the only thing they could, put there heads in there hands & chuckle away to themselves!
As the journey to Morecambe progressed, we moved away from this gentleman to the back of the carriage & had an uneventful journey, well that was until we got to Carnforth where Carribob eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas with the vast amount of old trains on show at the station! Well, it's normal for Carribob but what happened with our newest train friends at Lancaster was something different!
One of the two Birthday Boys from the next carriage came up to say hello, he was an Everton fan from Keighley! The fact the toilet was out of use due to being in the station was going down to well but in the end it turned out that his friend had decided to take a snooze in there! To say these lads were a tad wankered is an understatement!
As we left Lancaster, the other half of the Birthday Boys came up to say hello! This one had been on his corner shop Polish Vodka & was talking some garbage but the majority of it was hilarious! He started off with Carribob, banging on about how quiet he was but once you see the Armani glasses, you think Respect!
Next, it was Doughnut's turn! After insulting him by calling him a 'Ginner' he then proceeded to take his Coca Cola Cherry & spike it (Okay spiking is a little strong because we consented but still he's only 14!) with his corner shop Polish Vodka!
Upon arrival at Morecambe & avoiding pretty much all contact & conversation with the Officers of the Law, I began to enjoy Doughnut's new drink. Now, Ben & Doughnut who are not use to alcohol of any kind took a sip. Me & Carribob were in stitches at the reaction! It took Ben only thirty seconds to start moaning his stomach was burning & Doughnut complaining he felt sick!
So, after a walk through the seaside town & a brief visit to Morecambe Dan's Caravan Park to pick up mine & Carribob's ticket we headed over to the Globe Arena for the game!
After a quick trip to the club shop & welcoming the Everton team of the coach, we went our separate ways as Ben & Doughnut headed into the Everton end & myself & Carribob headed off to the Morecambe end! En route I was conned out of a Polo by a Police Horse but we got there eventually!
After a quick purchase of food as we were starving, we headed onto the terracing in order to find a good spot for the game which we did, just to the left of the goal. I was stood by the advertisement hoarding & this little scouse voice came out of nowhere... "What you twos doing here?" It was only Robbie Threlfall & it's always nice to be remembered!
So, after a five minute catch up with Robbie T, in which we discussed why me & Carribob turned up at the game, City's signings & chances for the upcoming season & Morecambe's signings & chances for the upcoming season, we parted ways as Robbie headed off to get ready for the match which we kept getting politely reminded was delayed by fifteen minutes due to the late arrival of the Everton team coach.
So, after a five minute standing ovation for Jim Bentley the game finally got under way.
Everton with first teamers Jack Rodwell, Seamus Coleman, Sylvain Distin, Leon Osman & Victor Anichebe in the starting eleven with more first teamers on the bench, Everton looked like a side who was going to control the game from the very start & this they did.
Ten minutes into the game, an Everton corner was poorly cleared by the Morecambe defence & was punished in some style. Exciting Everton midfielder Francisco Junior got hold of the ball from 25 yards & smashed the ball throw the crowd of players within the box & pass a hapless Barry Roche. However, Morecambe argued for offside against Apostolos Vellios who was doing his shoelaces up behind the last defender & in front of the keeper but was let off as he did not interfere with play.
Morecambe nearly equalised but Lewis Alessandra was foiled by the youngster in the Everton goal & from that point onwards the game was on a level playing field but with just under 10 minutes before the half time break, Leon Osman played a tidy pass through the Morecambe backline & the man at the centre of controversy of the first goal, Apostolos Vellios popped up & slotted home past Barry Roche to double the visitors lead.
Three minutes later, Leon Osman attempted a pass to Apsotolos Vellios & it took a knick of the Morecambe defence & fell to Jack Rodwell, who as cheekily as possible chipped the ball over Barry Roche, who by now was a very angry Barry Roche to send Everton into the half time break at the Globe with a 3-0 lead.
The second half in contrast was a dull affair, with nothing of note to mention until twenty minutes before the end when the big man Victor Anichebe getting the ball from 25 yards & smashing home to put the visitors into a 4-0 lead.
Everton substitution Shane Duffy was then hauled into a advertisement hoarding, injury his back & denting the hoarding in the process. But, the Morecambe faithful weren't going to let him off easily branding him 'soft' & 'puff' to which Duffy replied with a sneaky middle finger which incited the home terrace.
Robbie Threlfall fired just wide after a wicked curling effort taken from 30 yards out... on the sideline! But then, the man who the day was all about Jim Bentley was substituted on for a footballing moment I shall forever remember.
Tony Hibbert, who came on at half time for Everton played a purposely dodgy back pass to his goalkeeper which Jim Bentley conveniently intercepted but as he went to slot the ball in for a goal on his day the goalkeeper for the visitors clearly didn't get the message as he rushed out of the box & pulled of a fantastic save!
But, it was second time lucky as Tony Hibbert stopped the entire Everton side & allowed Izak Reid to square the ball across the box to Jim Bentley in order to get a goal on his day & get his side a consolation but once again the goalkeeper didn't get the message! He first of all began to scream & shout at his defence who just giggled out of knowing the message didn't get back to him, before he then proceeded to scream & shout at the linesman for missing the obvious offside... Then the penny dropped! He realised that it was set up for Bentley to score! Finally!
The game was then brought to an end to a rapture of applause & singing.
So, me & Carribob headed out to meet out with Ben & Doughnut & we made the walk back to Morecambe train station. However, with bellies rumbling & the Leeds train delayed by a long time we headed to Lancaster in order to grab some munch & hop aboard the Leeds train, at last we were home!
This is where it got funny. After meeting up with Jelavic (No, not that one) again on the train, a girl a few seats back engaged in a phone conversation with her friend & said "Loads of stupid football fans on the train!" This did not go down well & it got worse when it was revealed as the female version of Ellis! By God this girl was ugly!
But, her friend sat down next to Ben & Ben's eyes lit up like Carribob's near the trains earlier. Now, I've got a message for Ben at this point... Just because a random girl sits next to you does not mean she fancies you! Right, but this munter quickly regretted the decision to move closer to us as we began singing our hearts out with every Everton chant under the sun!
But, as this girl didn't get the clue that her mates on the phone didn't want to speak to her as they kept over & over again putting the phone down on her & over & over again she called back. At this moment I'll give the phone call recipients a mention, Hey Dexter & Devon! We continued with the Everton chants & two people didn't get the message.
First of all was the Train Conductor, who asked if we knew we were on the Leeds train & not the Morecambe one, well there was a train full of Everton fans what put an end to this non-sensical question. The second one was a woman from the back of the train who asked for us to realise we're on a train & to 'stop acting like hooligans' to which Doughnut responded "Fuck off you slag!" Well there's only so much you can do eh? Haha!
Sadly, half way home the fun & games stopped as our phone call phenomenon friends departed the train & we were bored with nothing to do. So, we began with the Everton sing song again! Which our new conductor from Skipton onwards didn't appreciate.
So, I got off the train in Keighley & this newest adventure came to an end! Awesome finish to an awesome day! All together now lads... I'm glad to be home!'8
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? It was so worth the money! A day out with the lads I will truly never forget!
Morecambe MOTM - I should say Jim Bentley giving it was his day but the only Morecambe player who offered anything to the game was the ex-Bantam himself... Robbie Threlfall!
Everton MOTM - Francisco Junior gets it for me, the young Portugese talent was influential throughout & is most definitely one for the future!
Quote of the Match - Female Ellis: "Can you stupid boys please shut up!" Doughnut: "I'll shut up when you go see a Dentist!"
Chant of the Match - "You're so shit it's unbelievable" - The reason this classic gets it is because Morecambe fans were singing towards Tony Hibbert as a sarcastic appreciation to his deliberate back pass in order to set up Jim Bentley!
FB Status of the Match - Me & Carribob are stood behind Morecambe goal, then a little Scouse bloke runs over two us & greets us with “What are you twos doing here?” Its only Robbie T! He's small, he's scouse, he'll probably rob your house!'8 - I give recognition to Robbie T's polite Hello!
Tweet of the Match - Jim Bentley comes on for the last few minutes in his final game in a Morecambe shirt. A lifelong Blue, he receives a warm welcome. - Everton recognise the Morecambe Manager in the only way they know how. Announcing him as a lifelong Evertonian!
Referee Watch - Jeremy Simpson - Had a solid game but was let down throughout by his linesman!
FATWATCH - It was his day, but Jim Bentley has well & truly packed the pounds on since his retirement!
Saturday 14th July 2012 - Globe Arena - Attendance: 4223 (2060 Visitors)
So, it's game two of pre-season 2012. Morecambe v Everton in the Jim Bentley Testimonial Game at the Globe Arena.
The day began on a warmish platform at Keighley Train Station & with the steam of the Worth Valley rushing through my hair, I boarded the train to be greeted by the familiar face of Ben & Doughnut as well as the ugly mug of Carribob! I was also introduced to Doughnut's newest of train friends, the man known as Jelavic! (No, not that one!)
Just one stop into the train ride to Morecambe at Skipton, a good friend of mine Paddy was on another platfom readying himself for a train back towards Keighley & decided to give me a ring! In which he told me that his quiet drink in Keighley ended up with him waking up hungover in Skipton the following Morning... Haven't we all done this at one point or another!
Anyways, the reason I've mentioned this on the blog is because of a drama caused by the phone call! I politely told Paddy on the phone that him & his friend looked 'fucked' which didn't go down to well with a gentleman aboard the train!
This gentleman began to lecture me telling me how he'd had enough (I'd only swore once) & how I should show some manners, he's one to talk! I was still on the phone during this lecture! Talk about rude! Ben & Doughnut did the only thing they could, put there heads in there hands & chuckle away to themselves!
As the journey to Morecambe progressed, we moved away from this gentleman to the back of the carriage & had an uneventful journey, well that was until we got to Carnforth where Carribob eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas with the vast amount of old trains on show at the station! Well, it's normal for Carribob but what happened with our newest train friends at Lancaster was something different!
One of the two Birthday Boys from the next carriage came up to say hello, he was an Everton fan from Keighley! The fact the toilet was out of use due to being in the station was going down to well but in the end it turned out that his friend had decided to take a snooze in there! To say these lads were a tad wankered is an understatement!
As we left Lancaster, the other half of the Birthday Boys came up to say hello! This one had been on his corner shop Polish Vodka & was talking some garbage but the majority of it was hilarious! He started off with Carribob, banging on about how quiet he was but once you see the Armani glasses, you think Respect!
Next, it was Doughnut's turn! After insulting him by calling him a 'Ginner' he then proceeded to take his Coca Cola Cherry & spike it (Okay spiking is a little strong because we consented but still he's only 14!) with his corner shop Polish Vodka!
Upon arrival at Morecambe & avoiding pretty much all contact & conversation with the Officers of the Law, I began to enjoy Doughnut's new drink. Now, Ben & Doughnut who are not use to alcohol of any kind took a sip. Me & Carribob were in stitches at the reaction! It took Ben only thirty seconds to start moaning his stomach was burning & Doughnut complaining he felt sick!
So, after a walk through the seaside town & a brief visit to Morecambe Dan's Caravan Park to pick up mine & Carribob's ticket we headed over to the Globe Arena for the game!
After a quick trip to the club shop & welcoming the Everton team of the coach, we went our separate ways as Ben & Doughnut headed into the Everton end & myself & Carribob headed off to the Morecambe end! En route I was conned out of a Polo by a Police Horse but we got there eventually!
After a quick purchase of food as we were starving, we headed onto the terracing in order to find a good spot for the game which we did, just to the left of the goal. I was stood by the advertisement hoarding & this little scouse voice came out of nowhere... "What you twos doing here?" It was only Robbie Threlfall & it's always nice to be remembered!
So, after a five minute catch up with Robbie T, in which we discussed why me & Carribob turned up at the game, City's signings & chances for the upcoming season & Morecambe's signings & chances for the upcoming season, we parted ways as Robbie headed off to get ready for the match which we kept getting politely reminded was delayed by fifteen minutes due to the late arrival of the Everton team coach.
So, after a five minute standing ovation for Jim Bentley the game finally got under way.
Everton with first teamers Jack Rodwell, Seamus Coleman, Sylvain Distin, Leon Osman & Victor Anichebe in the starting eleven with more first teamers on the bench, Everton looked like a side who was going to control the game from the very start & this they did.
Ten minutes into the game, an Everton corner was poorly cleared by the Morecambe defence & was punished in some style. Exciting Everton midfielder Francisco Junior got hold of the ball from 25 yards & smashed the ball throw the crowd of players within the box & pass a hapless Barry Roche. However, Morecambe argued for offside against Apostolos Vellios who was doing his shoelaces up behind the last defender & in front of the keeper but was let off as he did not interfere with play.
Morecambe nearly equalised but Lewis Alessandra was foiled by the youngster in the Everton goal & from that point onwards the game was on a level playing field but with just under 10 minutes before the half time break, Leon Osman played a tidy pass through the Morecambe backline & the man at the centre of controversy of the first goal, Apostolos Vellios popped up & slotted home past Barry Roche to double the visitors lead.
Three minutes later, Leon Osman attempted a pass to Apsotolos Vellios & it took a knick of the Morecambe defence & fell to Jack Rodwell, who as cheekily as possible chipped the ball over Barry Roche, who by now was a very angry Barry Roche to send Everton into the half time break at the Globe with a 3-0 lead.
The second half in contrast was a dull affair, with nothing of note to mention until twenty minutes before the end when the big man Victor Anichebe getting the ball from 25 yards & smashing home to put the visitors into a 4-0 lead.
Everton substitution Shane Duffy was then hauled into a advertisement hoarding, injury his back & denting the hoarding in the process. But, the Morecambe faithful weren't going to let him off easily branding him 'soft' & 'puff' to which Duffy replied with a sneaky middle finger which incited the home terrace.
Robbie Threlfall fired just wide after a wicked curling effort taken from 30 yards out... on the sideline! But then, the man who the day was all about Jim Bentley was substituted on for a footballing moment I shall forever remember.
Tony Hibbert, who came on at half time for Everton played a purposely dodgy back pass to his goalkeeper which Jim Bentley conveniently intercepted but as he went to slot the ball in for a goal on his day the goalkeeper for the visitors clearly didn't get the message as he rushed out of the box & pulled of a fantastic save!
But, it was second time lucky as Tony Hibbert stopped the entire Everton side & allowed Izak Reid to square the ball across the box to Jim Bentley in order to get a goal on his day & get his side a consolation but once again the goalkeeper didn't get the message! He first of all began to scream & shout at his defence who just giggled out of knowing the message didn't get back to him, before he then proceeded to scream & shout at the linesman for missing the obvious offside... Then the penny dropped! He realised that it was set up for Bentley to score! Finally!
The game was then brought to an end to a rapture of applause & singing.
So, me & Carribob headed out to meet out with Ben & Doughnut & we made the walk back to Morecambe train station. However, with bellies rumbling & the Leeds train delayed by a long time we headed to Lancaster in order to grab some munch & hop aboard the Leeds train, at last we were home!
This is where it got funny. After meeting up with Jelavic (No, not that one) again on the train, a girl a few seats back engaged in a phone conversation with her friend & said "Loads of stupid football fans on the train!" This did not go down well & it got worse when it was revealed as the female version of Ellis! By God this girl was ugly!
But, her friend sat down next to Ben & Ben's eyes lit up like Carribob's near the trains earlier. Now, I've got a message for Ben at this point... Just because a random girl sits next to you does not mean she fancies you! Right, but this munter quickly regretted the decision to move closer to us as we began singing our hearts out with every Everton chant under the sun!
But, as this girl didn't get the clue that her mates on the phone didn't want to speak to her as they kept over & over again putting the phone down on her & over & over again she called back. At this moment I'll give the phone call recipients a mention, Hey Dexter & Devon! We continued with the Everton chants & two people didn't get the message.
First of all was the Train Conductor, who asked if we knew we were on the Leeds train & not the Morecambe one, well there was a train full of Everton fans what put an end to this non-sensical question. The second one was a woman from the back of the train who asked for us to realise we're on a train & to 'stop acting like hooligans' to which Doughnut responded "Fuck off you slag!" Well there's only so much you can do eh? Haha!
Sadly, half way home the fun & games stopped as our phone call phenomenon friends departed the train & we were bored with nothing to do. So, we began with the Everton sing song again! Which our new conductor from Skipton onwards didn't appreciate.
So, I got off the train in Keighley & this newest adventure came to an end! Awesome finish to an awesome day! All together now lads... I'm glad to be home!'8
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? It was so worth the money! A day out with the lads I will truly never forget!
Morecambe MOTM - I should say Jim Bentley giving it was his day but the only Morecambe player who offered anything to the game was the ex-Bantam himself... Robbie Threlfall!
Everton MOTM - Francisco Junior gets it for me, the young Portugese talent was influential throughout & is most definitely one for the future!
Quote of the Match - Female Ellis: "Can you stupid boys please shut up!" Doughnut: "I'll shut up when you go see a Dentist!"
Chant of the Match - "You're so shit it's unbelievable" - The reason this classic gets it is because Morecambe fans were singing towards Tony Hibbert as a sarcastic appreciation to his deliberate back pass in order to set up Jim Bentley!
FB Status of the Match - Me & Carribob are stood behind Morecambe goal, then a little Scouse bloke runs over two us & greets us with “What are you twos doing here?” Its only Robbie T! He's small, he's scouse, he'll probably rob your house!'8 - I give recognition to Robbie T's polite Hello!
Tweet of the Match - Jim Bentley comes on for the last few minutes in his final game in a Morecambe shirt. A lifelong Blue, he receives a warm welcome. - Everton recognise the Morecambe Manager in the only way they know how. Announcing him as a lifelong Evertonian!
Referee Watch - Jeremy Simpson - Had a solid game but was let down throughout by his linesman!
FATWATCH - It was his day, but Jim Bentley has well & truly packed the pounds on since his retirement!